31.10.2025 00:22
In a statement made in the TBMM Planning and Budget Commission, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz drew attention to the danger of "drought." Yılmaz said, "We must think about very serious measures regarding water already. These issues have been addressed in our cabinet. A commission has been established regarding water. We are in the process of preparing a comprehensive roadmap."
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Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz stated, "We must think about very serious measures regarding water right now. These issues have been addressed in our cabinet. A commission has been established regarding water. We are in the process of preparing a comprehensive roadmap."
CEVDET YILMAZ'S "DROUGHT" STATEMENT
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz responded to the questions and criticisms of the deputies regarding the 2026 Central Government Budget Law Proposal and the 2024 Central Government Final Account Law Proposal in the TBMM Planning and Budget Commission.
"WE MUST THINK ABOUT VERY SERIOUS MEASURES REGARDING WATER"
In response to a question about irrigation projects in the Konya Plain and the water problems experienced across the country, Yılmaz stated that the issue of water has become one of the most critical issues. Emphasizing that many countries in the Mediterranean basin will be more affected by climate change than the world average, Yılmaz continued: "We must think about very serious measures regarding water right now. These issues have been addressed in our cabinet. A commission has been established regarding water. We are in the process of preparing a comprehensive roadmap. There is indeed a lot of work to be done by municipalities here."
There is a tremendous loss and leakage in the networks of our cities. We have provinces where losses and leakages reach 50% to 60%. Investments must definitely be made in these networks. We are focusing on many issues. Not only Konya but many sensitive regions have emerged in Turkey regarding this issue. We will focus much more intensively on the water issue."
In response to the deputies' request for the improvement of the personal rights of inspection personnel, Yılmaz stated that in the 2026 budget, it has been arranged that the amounts to be paid for the accommodation of inspection personnel will be based on 90% of the daily allowances instead of 75%.
"WE FELL BELOW WHAT WE EXPECTED ON THE REVENUE SIDE"
In response to a question about the deviation in the budget, Yılmaz used the following expressions: "There is no deviation on the expenditure side regarding this year's budget. Despite the increase in interest rates, we have remained within the framework of what we announced for our expenditure budget last year, and we are even slightly below our expenditures. On the revenue side, we are below what we expected. That is the main issue. In periods of rising inflation, budgets are temporarily positively affected. When inflation decreases, you see the opposite effect, as consumption and imports decrease, and economic activity becomes more moderate. This is certainly a temporary effect. The overall health of the economy is important."
"THE SHARE OF ITEMS UNDER THE PUBLIC SAVINGS IN THE BUDGET HAS DECREASED"
In response to a question about the Public Savings General Circular, Yılmaz stated that they did not only publish a savings general circular but also established a monitoring, inspection, and reporting model. Noting that they closely monitor the savings practices of 257 public administrations, Yılmaz made the following evaluations: "Inspections were carried out in 1958 expenditure units to understand whether savings measures are being followed or not."
The results of this inspection were sent to the Presidency. The share of expenditures under the general circular, excluding interest and earthquake, has decreased from an average of 4.6% over the past 10 years to 3.1% in the budget. In other words, the items under the savings general circular appear to have decreased in terms of their share of the total budget. This figure shows us that there has been an effect, but we must not let this go. We will continue to monitor."
"THE NUMBER OF OFFICIAL VEHICLES CONSTITUTES 1.6% OF THE TOTAL VEHICLE COUNT"
In response to a question about the number of vehicles in the public sector, Vice President Yılmaz reported that there are a total of 125,311 vehicles owned by public administrations within the scope of central government. Of these, 80,951 are used in defense and security services, 10,652 in health services, 7,556 in agriculture, livestock, and forestry services, 6,584 in education services, 5,253 in justice services, and 14,315 in services carried out by other administrations.
The number of vehicles that can be used as official vehicles constitutes 1.6% of the total number of vehicles. These vehicles are allocated to governors, district governors, general directors, and equivalent senior managers.
There is no information regarding leasing. Friends say, 'Rental prices have increased.' Therefore, there are also calculations suggesting that it may be more advantageous to go for normal purchasing instead of leasing. Therefore, we should not approach this with a fixed idea. In some periods, leasing may be more advantageous due to economic conditions. In some periods, it may be more advantageous to acquire and use them.
ATTENTION-CATCHING RESPONSE TO BABACAN'S QUESTION
Yılmaz, in response to the question, "Is there a plan regarding Mr. Ali Babacan? Do you think Ali Babacan will save the economy?" stated, "These are matters that are at the discretion of our President. Our President is an elected President. The government has been formed. According to our Constitution and laws, he has the opportunity to form his cabinet as he wishes at any time."
"THE INFLATION TARGET THIS YEAR IS TO SEE BELOW 30%"
In response to a question about the year-end inflation target, Yılmaz emphasized that the inflation rate for September came in above expectations, creating a more cautious atmosphere regarding the year-end forecast. Vice President Yılmaz stated that when they see the inflation rate for October, they will have the opportunity to predict the year-end more accurately, and he noted: "September was an extraordinary month. Therefore, I believe that October will return to a normal line. A little below and a little above 30, so once we see October, we will be able to make a more comfortable prediction. Inflation was around 65% in 2023, and it has decreased to 44% in 2024. This year, our program target is to see below 30%. Next year, below 20%, and the following year single-digit figures. Our roadmap is in this way.
Here, it is not only with monetary policy but also with fiscal policy and reforms, structural transformations, supply-side policies, especially in housing and food, these two items are very important, of course. Because basic goods are already below 20%. Commodity inflation is below 30%. The stubborn part is the service side, especially the rental issue. Due to both drought and frost this year in food, there has been a price increase due to some opportunism as well. There are decisions taken in our food committee regarding food. There are new initiatives we have developed regarding housing, especially social housing. Inflation is our top priority issue, and we will continue to implement our policies decisively."
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