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Parliament voted on a series of budgets – Appeal of the President for timely submission of those pending

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Parliament voted on a series of budgets - Appeal of the President for timely submission of those pending

The Plenary Session of the Parliament during today's session voted in favor of the budgets of the Financial Council, the Foundation for State Scholarships (IKY), the Cyprus Theatrical Organization (THOK) and the Cyprus Land Development Organization (KOAG).

On the occasion, the Speaker of Parliament, Annita Dimitriou, appealed for the timely submission of the pending budgets, stating that she would not accept the submission in the form of any urgent budget, at the expense of the required parliamentary control.

The budget of the Financial Council was approved by 26 votes to 14, with 3 abstentions.

The budget of IKY was approved unanimously with the positions of the deputies, however, regarding the criteria that should be observed for the scholarships that are given.

DIKO MP Chrysanthos Savvidis asked for socio-economic criteria to be included in the awarding of scholarships, while he stressed the need to create a single scholarship management body that includes all the scholarships that are available.

AKEL MP Andreas Kafkalias called for maintaining the good balance that exists in the institution in terms of socio-economic criteria and excellence, while he expressed disappointment for the savings of 2 million from the institution in 2021 to the detriment of students.

DIKO MP Panikos Leonidou asked for the IKY criteria to be expanded and for excellence criteria to be set, so that students have the motivation to learn and take care of themselves.

DISY MP Kyriakos Hatzigiannis said that if the system needs to be improved, they should discuss it, however, as he said, the leveling of the IKY project only causes damage. He also called for enhanced excellence.

EDEK MP Elias Myrianthous said that in a time of pandemic, sponsorships should have been more generous and more studies in innovative sciences should have been granted.

DIKO MP Zacharias Koulias asked to separate the part of excellence and social criteria.

DIKO MP Chrysis Pantelidis said that it is not possible to disconnect excellence from social criteria, since a student without the appropriate financial means is less likely to achieve excellence.

The President of the Ecologists' Movement, Charalambos Theopemptou, said that scholarships should be given not only for universities but also for other studies such as colleges and special awards. He also asked for help from students who are having a hard time coping and have to work at the same time.

The THOK Budget was approved with 49 votes in favor and 3 abstentions.

The Budget of the COAG was adopted unanimously.

In his statement, the President of EDEK Marinos Sizopoulos expressed his satisfaction that a number of proposals of the party for the organization began to be implemented such as the construction of houses and their concession to vulnerable groups either with low rent or low purchase costs.

The MP of DIPA-Cooperation, Alekos Tryfonidis welcomed the new policy of the organization to ensure housing for middle and low income families with the low rent plan and the construction of 600 housing units in collaboration with the Municipality of Limassol. He also proposed the creation of a single housing policy body to integrate all existing housing plans.

The Member of Parliament for the Ecologists' Movement, Stavros Papadouris, welcomed the upgrading of the role of KOAG in recent years and the improved housing practices as well as the upgrading of the quality. At the same time, he stated that after the financial crisis and its consequences on the housing, “our demands are very high”.

DIKO MP Panikos Leonidou noted the positive developments in the Organization, however, stating that in many cases he has shown inaction and obstruction to allocate plots, due to the conditions he set.

AKEL MP Christos Christofidis stated that the virtually zero contribution of the state does not help in the development of programs by KOAG. He also said that the state can play a catalytic role in controlling rental prices and the real estate market.

DIKO MP Zacharias Koulias asked the state that has “demographic bankruptcy”, through the organization to support young people in the form of rent.

Limassol MP Andreas Themistokleous said that if the auction is not stopped sooner or later, those who have houses will lose them and these organizations will not be able to replace them.

DISY MP Onoufrios Koulas expressed his satisfaction that there is a government that listens to the opposition parties and said that only in this matter can we move forward with cooperation and give a better perspective.

Source: politis.com.cy

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