Turkmenistan's parliament of third convocation held its 21st session in Ashgabat. Members of the Cabinet of Ministers, heads of various ministries and departments and public organizations, as well as representatives of mass media were also invited to attend the session.

The draft law "On the state budget for 2009" and the draft parliament resolution "On the performance of the state budget for 2007", which were preliminary discussed by all parliamentary committees, were on top of the agenda, the Turkmenistan.ru correspondent reports from Ashgabat.

Spending on social welfare has been increased by 13% year-on-year. The 2009 budget provides for a 10% increase in spending on wages, pensions, allowances and student stipends. The population of Turkmenistan will be also provided with free gas, water, electricity and salt.

The combined revenues and expenditures of the 2009 budget amounts to 294460,8 billion Manats, including the first tier budget of 57515,1 billion Manats.

After the discussion, members of the national parliament unanimously approved the law "On the state budget of Turkmenistan for 2009."