AAKA MP: With budget smuggled after midnight I fear Kosovo will continue to empty

MP from the AAK ranks Arber Tolaj has sharply criticised the budget adopted after midnight by the Kosovo government.

Tolaj has said this budget has discriminated greatly against Dukagjin citizens.

He has counted projects that have suffered from this budget, as well as said he does not meet young people's demands for the long run.

Read below his full post:

Dear citizens,

Since last night the Government of Kosovo, for no reason, smuggling the budget project through the organisation of extraordinary sessions not only during the day, but also after midnight, after not being given the opportunity to express my position in Parliament, I consider I owe my citizens and voters to present my personal positions on this issue.
The state of emergency created by COVID-19 Pandemia, although it is a concern for all, and especially for us health workers (as we are a substitute for the consequences of the atrophic virus) this does not justify the actions of Kurti Government, which without right excludes the destructive part of infrastructure products initiated by the pre-government.
So we fully agree that the Government will double the budget for fighting COVID, but we are totally against the degradation that this government (through budget) has made citizens of the Dukagjini region, because most projects have either completely eliminated or shared minimal means for their realisation.
Although the current government is late present to us a budgetary project with many shortcomings and misoriented tools.
As such the approved project can be considered non-developing, not principled, not correct and reggressive at the same time.
This budget, represents impasses in the areas of health, social protection, education, culture, infrastructure and other areas.
1. Not the honestness of this government with this draft budget represents non-professional, incorrect division, as opposed to the non-vident disregard for our taxpayers, marginalising without any right some Kosovo regions.
I repeat, even this time again has largely been attacked Dukaagjini, namely municipalities which are led by the AAK. Therefore we cannot be indifferent before the injustice that has been done to the citizens of these municipalities.
It's really meaningless to budget planning in a lot of $400,000 for the implementation of Decan-Plav Road, which the Prime Minister has marginalized, even though it reflects not only developmental arteries, interstate connections, but, above all, is considered the path of hope and spirituality of the Albanian Trivas, that is, the national issue, that by the time Kurt came to power, so much promoted.
And in this case, I ask the Prime Minister: How did you not regret to disappoint the Malsors of the Gutia Plave that so many once believed?
So with the argument Kurt offered last night, I testify that they were also deceived.
2. Concern is the fact that the already approved budget project does not provide for implementation of the Law for wage growth in various public sectors -- from Teachers, Nurses and Doctors, State Police, Firemen, the Administration. This Law was adopted in March 2019 by the Haradinaj government, but without implementation by the Kurti Government.
Mr. Kurt, aren't they doctors and nurses? H OUR eyes, those you salute and praise every time we face dangers but leave with these minimum, undignified wages.
This is witnessed by the recent state of corona virus (Convidus-19), spread throughout the globe, which has unfortunately affected our country.
So is it just a health personnel, even though in poor working conditions, dare face the most challenging situations, until self - sacrifice only to save the citizen, seriously risking their families too.
Thus, the failure to pay for this category is as shameful as it is dangerous.
3. As a result, Kosovo risks being left without doctors and nurses, because they are already being sought by developed states that recognise and value professionalism in contrast with you prime minister. So through these actions Kosovo is stimulating the influx of migration of health workers.
The same is true of education, administration, police, firemen, etc.
4. Surprises the fact that, as 57 academics within the Kosovo Academy of Sciences and Arts, in addition to wages and media, goods and municipal services, no cent has been separated from the category of subsidies and transfers, which would enable the support of scientific research and elaborities in the country's interest. And we all know that Kosovo really needs such investments.
5. Even in the area of cultural heritage, the Decani and Peje municipality, which is identified as regions that represent our national tradition and identity, especially through old architecture, namely Albanian Towers (though investments from the Ministry of Culture, in the category of capitals are set to exceed millions for 2020), these municipalities and their architectural mosaics have almost been forgotten.
So, as we can see, there's no planned complete restoration of any tower in this region.
6. As worldwide, in Kosovo, social support for different age groups is necessary. Special care should be devoted to old age. So in this context this budget leaves much to be desired.
In this case, I would stress the lack of planning to build Houses of Elders, especially in regional centers.
7. Although in the 19th century, Kosovo villages still suffer from a lack of water supply and sewer network.
So, just in the Peja Community on 13 villages of Tresteknik, from Blgaja to Trestennik, do not own the sewer network, which is really disturbing (proposal proposal).
8. As long as there's a shortage of the water supply network still has the villages of Baran's Lug. And based on the low budgetary planning of 2020, for this project, always after the high cost of the project, the community of these villages will be left without drinking water (proposal for administration).
9. These budgets are also lacking in children's and Sports Terrene's contests, privately in Pristina, Pec, and Decani's proposal for adoption.
10. Consequently, the approved budget does not provide opportunities for the opening of new jobs. Kosovo's youth do not give you hope for life and perspective, so I fear the country will continue to empty. Because the governing program does not necessarily meet the expectations of new generations who want to stand at their feet and create family prosperity, economic stability, and perspective.
Generally, the budget approved last night does not satisfy the needs of Kosovo citizens.
A.T.