THE $21.6 BILLION state budget for  2017 has been approved National Assembly Budget Committee.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Economy and Finance Dulcidio De la Guardia.

The budget, must now be approved by the plenary of the Assembly

Committee Chairman Jorge Iván Arrocha said that adjustments were made to the budget, but the total was not increased.

Arrocha emphasized that the spending plan includes funding for a minimum wage increase for public employees announced by President Juan Carlos Varela that was not included in the first draft. It also includes additional funding for the criminal accusatory system.