Philipsburg:--- A Central Committee of Parliament is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon at 2:00pm in the General Assembly Chamber of the House of Parliament with the High Council of State the General Audit Chamber.
The General Audit Chamber will make a presentation to the Central Committee about the general state of affairs as well as a proposal to establish a parliamentary committee for Government Expenditures.
President of Parliament Hon. drs. Gracita Arrindell said she met with the Chairman of the General Audit Chamber Roland Tuitt and Acting Secretary General Joane Dovale-Meit on several occasions on a number of issues including the proposal to establish the aforementioned committee.
On September 26 a meeting of the Seniorenconvent of Parliament (faction leaders represented in parliament) was held to discuss the necessity of establishing such a committee.
The General Audit Chamber addressed its proposal to Parliament in a letter dated October 21, 2011 and according to Arrindell, the proposal is for the committee to function as a sounding board between Parliament and the General Audit Chamber in a smaller functional setting.
It is expected that such a committee can play a critical role in having a proactive working relationship between the two entities in terms of the general supervisory tasks they must execute in the broadest sense of the word.
The proposed committee will be tasked with the handling of all aspects in regards to the legitimacy and effectiveness of the budgetary process. Some of the proposed main tasks of the committee are, support of the permanent committees of Parliament in the execution of their financial supervisory role in a specific policy area of Government; review of the budget in all its aspects; review of year reports and all other reports commissioned by the General Audit Chamber.
Last week Wednesday the General Audit Chamber met with the Seniorenconvent to discuss general points of interests including the proposed committee.
The Central Committee meeting scheduled for November 22 is open to the public and will be carried live on St. Maarten Cable TV Channel 20.
