BAHRAIN’S municipal councils and Capital Trustees Board are set to gain more powers with Parliament backing amendments to a major law.
Parliament’s public utilities and environment affairs committee had disagreements with the Shura Council earlier over a few amendments proposed by the latter. However, the panel has now decided to bury all differences and back changes to the 2001 Municipal Law.
A key vote on the law is set to be held on Tuesday.
If MPs approve the move, which has already been given the go-ahead by the Shura Council, the amendments will be referred to His Majesty King Hamad for ratification.
It would give the four authorities – Northern, Southern and Muharraq councils and the Capital Trustees Board – power to choose and decide on municipal services and development plans within their boundaries, unless it affects the entire country.
The amendments will also grant the councils and the board power to draw up health and hygiene rules, take measures to protect the environment and issue advertisement and billboard policies for the area under their purview.
Parliament public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman Khalid Bu Onk said the amendments will fast-track municipal projects 20 years after the introduction of the law.
“This will go a long way in improving municipal work in the country,” Mr Bu Onk said.
The councils and the board will also be able to introduce rules for public places like hotels, tourism facilities, multi-purpose halls, restaurants, cafés, commercial outlets and industries, besides clamping down on illegal outlets and street vendors.
Policies
The amendments will also allow them to suggest names for highways, districts, neighbourhoods and junctions in co-ordination with the government.
Earlier, the four authorities could only suggest names for streets and roads.
The councils can receive grievances from people and take it up with ministries and government bodies, who would be obliged to submit statistics on the progress of work.
The four bodies will also have the power to amend their internal administrative policies, with the responsible minister publishing it in the Official Gazette, unless it is deemed a constitutional violation.
Should the minister concerned fail to respond to any decision by the council within 30 days, it will be considered approved. However, if it is rejected and the councillors insist on implementing it, the Cabinet could take a decision.
Meanwhile, distribution of government homes could be prioritised for people with disabilities and those suffering from hereditary and chronic illnesses under amendments to the 1976 Housing Law that will be debated during the session.
Two proposals by financial and economic affairs committee chairman Ahmed Al Salloom and Dr Masooma Abdulrahim have been merged by the public utilities and environment affairs committee.
“The proposals require huge budgets and availability of plots since it means that exceptional cases should be prioritised over those currently on the waiting list,” said the Housing Ministry in writing.
“People with disabilities are already being given priority as houses for them are built with special facilities.”
A retrospective vote on two royal decrees amending the 2014 Engineering Professions Regulatory Law and the 2012 Child Law issued by His Majesty during the National Assembly recess will be also taken.
MPs are also set to reject parliamentary amendments to the 2006 Labour Fund (Tamkeen) Law that would give micro, small and medium enterprises a quota in the board.
The government revealed that support was already being given to 3,932 micro, small and medium enterprises compared with 433 large and big companies.
Electricity and Water Affairs Minister Wael Al Mubarak will appear in Parliament to give feedback on three questions directed to him by MPs.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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