Based on this information, write a new short title in English: The budget of the Ministry of Finance was approved by majority vote… Customs Director Öztekin responded to the allegations of “2.5 Million Pounds in Famagusta Port” – BRTK

The budget of the Ministry of Finance was approved by majority vote as 68 billion 971 million 69 thousand TL, with an increase of 500 thousand TL.

Sinan Öztekin, Director of the Customs and Excise Department in the budget of the Ministry of Finance, answered questions about the 2.5 Million pounds allegedly brought to Famagusta Port.

Öztekin, Director of the Customs and Tax Office, stated that they did not receive any official notice on this issue, and that they accepted the rumors as a notice and searched the ship for 2 days with the participation of the financial police, but they did not find any signs in this direction.

Speaking on the question of CTP Deputy Sami Özuslu, Öztekin said that they informed the Minister of Finance Özdemir Berova upon the rumors and took action with the financial police, that they requested an inspection of the vehicles unloaded from the ship, that not only money but also contraband and drugs were searched in the vehicles, but there was nothing to confirm the allegations. He said that they did not find any findings.

Providing information about the process, Öztekin stated that the ship in question, which was rented by the agencies, delivered 240 vehicles, including work vehicles such as trucks and dozers, from England to Famagusta Port at around 10:00 in the morning on November 21.

Öztekin stated that the evacuation of vehicles started at noon on November 21 and continued until midnight, that 5 customs officers were assigned for this and that no unusual situation occurred.

Sinan Öztekin, Director of the Customs and Tax Office, also stated that 4 vehicles that were damaged due to battery or engine failure could not be unloaded from the ship and said:

“The vehicles were all already at the port due to paperwork. Financial branch teams performed manual checks on the vehicles. The x-ray device in the port was also operated 30 times. Almost all of the vehicles entered the device. Financial police came to the port on Saturday… We continued the searches. We did not find any signs. We also checked the security cameras at the entrance and exit of the port…”

On the question of whether the glove compartments of some vehicles were removed, Öztekin stated that they had made observations in this regard, but that this was not the first time they encountered a situation.

Öztekin also emphasized that the press did not reach him and request any explanation or evaluation on this issue.

-The budget of the Ministry of Finance was accepted by majority vote.

Following the speeches, the budget of the Ministry of Finance was approved as 68 billion 971 million 69 thousand TL, with an increase of 500 thousand TL.

On the other hand, before the allegations regarding the Famagusta Port were discussed in the committee, opposition MPs asked Finance Minister Berova questions on some issues.

CTP Deputy Devrim Barçın asked the Minister of Finance whether taxes will be collected from the bonuses and pensions of new retirees. Minister of Finance Özdemir Berova said that such a thing would not be done.

CTP Deputy Sami Özuslu, who later spoke about the Ministry of Finance, said that when looking at the data movements during the congress period, there was an increase of 241 people in the number of temporary workers.

Minister of Finance Özdemir, in his response to Özuslu, said, “There was no increase in the number of seasonal workers. “The status of 190 seasonal workers working in healthcare has been changed to temporary worker status,” he said.

Özuslu continued his speech, stating that 50-100 million TL was withheld from EMU, but the money was spent on other areas, and added: “How much of a burden does the complex bring to the state’s budget? “These buildings will swallow a lot of money…” he said.

Özuslu also argued that the Collective Labor Agreement Strike and Referendum Amendment Bill is against the Constitution and claimed that the entry into force of this law would mean ending the union struggle.

CTP Deputy Devrim Barçın also spoke about the legal regulation and said that there are Constitutional Court decisions in this direction, and stated that it is unconstitutional to interfere with the right to Collective Bargaining Agreement by law other than the employer and the union.

Finance Minister Berova said that they will review the Collective Labor Agreements and see if there are any illegal articles. This statement of the Minister of Finance created controversy for a short time.

Continuing his speech, CTP MP Sami Özuslu stated that the gap in the income distribution of citizens has widened to a large extent and that this is a big wound.

Sami Özuslu said that the echelon mobile system in the public sector is a correct system, but it has lost its meaning due to the unstable currency and feeds social gaps, and requested to organize a workshop on this subject, recalling the suggestions of a stable accounting unit.

Stating that people leave the market by buying a tomato and that life is incredibly expensive, Özuslu said, “We cannot close our eyes to this. “Everyone is in the mood to leave the country,” he said.

Pointing to the Law on Laundering Proceeds of Crime passed at the beginning of this year, Özuslu asked what extra control was provided by this law.

Özuslu asked about the figure and status of the vehicle gallery.

Minister of Finance Özdemir Berova stated that cryptocurrency and leveraged FX transactions should be controlled and pointed out the preparations for the draft law on leveraged FX.

Stating that there are 603 vehicle galleries in TRNC, Berova announced that they will also work on the legal regulation regarding vehicle galleries.

The committee took a short break after approving the Ministry of Finance budget by majority vote. The committee then moved on to YÖDAK’s budget.