"Government is not operating with the necessary speed"

247 – The Minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic, Gilberto Carvalho, admitted this Wednesday, the 31st, that the "government does not operate with the speed necessary to meet the demands of the population" and stressed that, in the government, they work "all the time" with a huge horn, the horn of pressure. The statements were made at the Planalto Palace, during the minister's speech at the launch of the third stage of the program aimed at recyclable material collectors, Cataforte.

The minister commented, at the time, on the noise of horns coming from a demonstration taking place in front of the building. "You know that being in government isn't easy. Do you see that little horn honking? Do you know what it's like to work all day with that little horn in your ear? These horns are physical, but they are also political," said Carvalho. The protest was organized by fingerprint experts, who were demanding changes in their career path.

"All the time you work in government with a huge buzzing sound, the buzzing of pressure, the buzzing of just causes that need urgent attention and which we cannot respond to with the same urgency. The buzzing of tension, of wanting to do something and seeing how long it takes to happen, the anguish of realizing that the government machine does not operate with the speed necessary to meet the demands of the population and for the ideals that have pursued us until now," the minister continued.

During the ceremony, the government announced R$ 200 million in credits for ventures run by recyclable material collectors. The credit is for actions that allow the inclusion of cooperatives in the recycling market and the addition of value to the solid waste chain. The initiative is part of the third phase of the Cataforte Program and emphasizes sustainable businesses in solidarity networks.

We need to "decriminalize" parliamentary amendments.

While still at the Planalto Palace, Carvalho said that it is necessary to "decriminalize" parliamentary amendments. He stressed the need to monitor the application of resources, but emphasized that the instrument allows for the implementation of works that benefit the population.

"We need to decriminalize the concept of the amendment. Historically, in this country, it has been an instrument that has done a lot of good. I know many daycare centers, bridges, and roads across the country that are the result of amendments. What we need to do is monitor what happens to this money that goes to the amendment at the grassroots level. The population has to monitor it," Carvalho argued.

According to the minister, the pejorative tone given to the discussion about the release of parliamentary amendments included in the Budget helps to reinforce the stigma of corruption in politics. Parliamentary amendments are the instrument by which deputies and senators can participate in the drafting of the budget. Generally, the funds are allocated to the electoral bases of the parliamentarians and are often subject to government budget cuts.

"We cannot always use this language and this prejudice that any amendment is just a trade-off, just a way for parliamentarians to divert resources. It is this criminalization that often leads people to believe that all politicians are criminals, that all politicians divert resources, and that is not true," argued the minister.

Asked about the meeting, which took place yesterday (30) between President Dilma Rousseff and ten ministers to discuss the government's relationship with Congress, Carvalho stressed that the Executive has been in dialogue with deputies and senators so that the amendments are allocated to works that are within the federal government's plan.

"The amendment isn't for the congressman, it's not for him. That image needs to be removed. It's money for the people and it will be used for projects. In general, we have sought to align [the allocation of resources] with government projects, so that they contribute to the realization of the government's project."

Even without confirming negotiations to release amendments, Carvalho downplayed the fact that the transfer of funds to parliamentarians was being discussed amidst budget cuts. According to him, the budget freeze affects all areas, not just amendments.

"When budget cuts are made, resources are partially cut from each area of ​​government, and amendments are part of that process. Of course, they also suffer from the cuts, but nothing is cut 100%, and amendments cannot be cut. I insist that amendments are a benefit to the population and are part of the government program."

With Brazil Agency