During the year’s first plenum, the budget was a hotly debated issue. Among other things, the board received criticism for having moved money from the promotion grant to the reindeer husbandry, to the administration. SSR has also reacted to this.
– After following the report from the plenary session, I can’t help but be very concerned. Above all, many questions remain unanswered regarding the handling of the promotion grant for the reindeer industry, says Matti Blind Berg, confederation chairman, SSR.
“Should ask for more money”
– This SEK 3.2 million is used for administrative work for the reindeer industry. The National Audit Office has had no objection to this transfer, said Håkan Jonsson in the podium.
He says they should ask for more money from the government.
– In the regulatory letter it is stated that funds for management may be used to do things that promote reindeer husbandry. Some parts require services. I would also like more money for this. But we don’t live in that reality, said Håkan Jonsson.
“Provocative”
From SSR’s side, they are worried about how the Sami Parliament works with issues linked to the promotion of reindeer herding. They believe that the Sami villages are already under great pressure today with industrial investments, predators, forestry, climate change and questioned rights.
– To “take” close to 3.2 million from the promotion grant to cover services that should normally be covered by the administration grant is no small thing, says Matti Blind Berg.
He receives the support of several politicians in the opposition, including Marianne Kråik, who is chairman of the Samiland Party:
– That shouldn’t be possible! Forbidden, she says.
Matti Blind Berg believes that it is once again time to review the Sami Parliament’s handling of reindeer husbandry issues and says that SSR’s National Assembly previously stated that reindeer husbandry issues should be lifted from the Sami Parliament.
SSR’s federal lawyer Jenny Wik Karlsson believes that the Sami Parliament’s actions are provocative, to say the least.
– Even if the National Audit Office and the Ministry have given the OK to move funds between the various grants, it would have been nice if the Sami Parliament had also asked the reindeer herder’s representative the question, says Jenny Wik Karlsson.
Hear Marianne Gråik in the clip above, one of all those who reacted to the board’s way of using promotion grants to cover services in the waiting room.
