MOSCOW - The State Duma has passed the bill “On the federal budget for 2004” on the second reading. It was passed by a vote of 236 to 157, with one abstention.

So, the lower house of the Russian parliament has confirmed budget spending, which tops RUR 2.659 trillion (about $88.28bn according to the current exchange rate).

In particular, about RUR 77bn ($2.56bn) will be allocated for state and local governance, judicial spending is projected at about RUR 33bn (about $1.096bn), defense spending is set at RUR 412bn ($13.68bn), spending on law enforcement and national security is projected to be about RUR 311bn ($10.33bn). About RUR 118bn ($3.92bn) will be allocated for education, and over RUR 45bn (about $1.5bn) – for international activities. More than RUR 46bn ($1.53bn) is earmarked for fundamental research and scientific and technical progress, about RUR 67bn ($2.22bn) – for manufacturing, the energy sector and construction, and RUR 161.2bn ($5.35bn) – for social policy.

Amendments prepared for the third reading of the budget are to be considered by the State Duma Budget and Tax Committee by October 25, 2003. The law on federal budget is the only law that requires four readings.