El Siglo newspaper reports that the Ministry of Armed Forces has received 60% more than budgeted, while the Ministry of Education has suffered a 22% cut between what was budgeted and what was disbursed. The newspaper says that the Ministry of Armed Forces was allotted RD$1,188 million in the 2001 Budget and during the first five months of the year has received disbursements of RD$1,922 million. Overspending of the government on military purchases was pointed out by Jochi Vicente, president of the Association of Young Entrepreneurs (ANJE) as one of the reasons why the government’s finances are in the red in a contribution to Hoy newspaper today. The newspaper says that the departments of agriculture, public works, sports and environment have suffered major budget cuts. The Ministry of Environment has only received 50% of its allotted funds.
