The Standing Committee on Social Policy, Education, Culture and Science yesterday completed discussion of the draft combined budget for 2011and forwarded it to the Standing Committee on the Budget.

The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science has asked for MNT649.6 billion in 2011, MNT557.6 billion of which is for current expenditure, MNT84.1 billion for capital expenditure, MNT72.4 billion for investment, of which MNT11.2 billion is for capital transition and MNT0.5 billion for foreign loan repayment.

The Ministry of Social Welfare and Labor has asked for MNT398.3 billion in 2011, MNT381.9 billion of which is for current expenditure and MNT9.4 billion for capital expenditure.

The Ministry of Health has asked for MNT296.2 billion in 2011, of which MNT244.5 billion is for current expenditure, and MNT51.7 billion for capital expenditure. During discussion of these demands, D.Ochirbat asked Minister S.Lambaa about possibilities of using a helicopter in a medical emergency. Lambaa said he had been demanding one for long. If the Ministry of Health had a helicopter, it could take doctors to the remote countryside at a time of need. It is easier to operate the department’s own helicopter than to borrow one from the Ministry of Defense. 

S.Erdene criticized that the MNT442.6 billion estimated as advance payment from the mining investors cannot be shown as earning of the Human Development Fund as it is not  yet a definite source.