The Budget and Planning Committee of the House of Representatives held a discussion on the budget of the Ministry of Housing and its affiliated bodies. During the session, MP Mostafa Salem requested the attendance of the Minister of Housing, Sherif El-Sherbiny, to present the ministry’s budget plans. He emphasized the importance of clarifying the ministry’s readiness to provide alternative housing for those affected by the Old Rent Law.
Meanwhile, MP Abdel Moneim Imam criticized the New Urban Communities Authority for reducing the allocated amount for the Universal Health Insurance system.
He pointed out that the authority has failed to settle its dues in previous years and now owes over EGP 3 billion. The amount listed in the budget is EGP 255 million, while the amount actually owed—after deducting revenues—reaches EGP 433 million. The percentage allocated in the budget is only one per thousand, which is below the legally mandated rate, even when calculated as a percentage of total revenues rather than just operational income.
A representative from the authority explained that the budget is an estimate based on projected revenues, considering the presence of installments and deferred income. However, Imam rejected this explanation, asserting, “The rights of the public and the Egyptian people take precedence over the authority’s expansion of its development projects.”