Duma passes 2006 federal budget in first reading

MOSCOW. Sept 22. The State Duma, at a plenary meeting on Thursday, passed the draft 2006 federal budget in the first reading by 331 votes against 95, with one abstention.

The draft stipulates for budget revenues of 5.046 trillion rubles, of which 3.168 trillion in taxes and 1.878 trillion rubles in other revenues.

Budget spending is planned at 4.270 trillion rubles, of which 202 billion rubles will be spent on interest payments, and 4.068 trillion, in other spending.

Thus, the budget surplus stands at 776 billion rubles, Interfax reported.