"Time should not be wasted and having the budget approved as soon as possible is a national demand, considering the negative implications it has on the government’s projects and programmes," said Mr Al Maskati.
"I am here to warn MPs that Bahrain’s status as a leading financial and economic pioneer is being affected and the more the government continues without a budget, the more sectors will be harmed.
"Any extra spending will lead to a deficit and that’s something that we don’t want, as it would cripple the government.
"Whenever the budget is referred to us and we hope it is soon, we will do our best to ensure that people’s demands are satisfied in line with the country’s financial and economical growth," he said.
MPs are demanding an extra BD180 million to be included in the 2009-2010 national budget.
They are seeking BD146m to cover the cost of paying a BD50 allowance to needy families for the next two years, plus another BD34m to be spent on housing, health, education and municipal services.
MPs have refused the government’s initiative to have BD15m allocated to the Social Development Ministry budget to help the needy.
Negotiations will continue today between MPs and Finance Minister Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, after a meeting was cancelled yesterday.
Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa initiated the BD50 allowance with a budget of BD40m.
The allowance was originally delayed by over a month due to a series of walkouts by MPs. The budget was later increased to BD73m to include more families.
Last March, MPs demanded a special allocation in the 2009-2010 budget, but the government said it would only consider the proposal.
