The Standing Committee on Nature, Environment, Food and Agriculture met on Tuesday to discuss proposed revisions to the 2011 budget.

Some analysts say the budget should not be revised, but Finance Minister S.Bayartsogt said it was necessary to include a MNT 300 billion bond issue in the revision. The money generated by the bonds will help small- to medium-sized businesses, as well as wool and cashmere producers. Bayartsogt said Parliament has passed a protocol on the bond issue.

Bayartsogt said another reason to revise the budget is to finance measures to reduce air pollution in the capital. MNT 34 billion has been allocated to pay for low-smoke stoves, cleaner-burning wood, and discounted electric rates for households in the high-pollution zone. He added that many households have not obtained low-smoke stoves because they don’t know where to get them. He also said the cleaner-burning wood is in short supply.

Some members of the standing committee questioned the necessity of spending MNT 34 billion on the anti-pollution effort. But they agreed that the relevant ministries must intensify pollution reduction measures with winter approaching.