Government expected to approve 2011 budget at session on Wednesday

The Czech government is to meet later today to approve the budget for 2011 which includes a series of cost saving measures. The controversial measures include saving on sickness, maternity and family benefits and abolition of state incentives for building savings accounts. The proposed budget for 2011 counts on a budget deficit of 135 billion crowns. Time is running out for the government to approve the amendments since the budget should proceed through the lower house of parliament by the end of this month.