THE elderly could be exempted from paying municipal fees at public car parks, gardens and toilets under an urgent proposal by the Muharraq Municipal Council.
The proposal by the council’s vice-chairman Hassan Al Doy would see citizens aged over 60 receiving special badges and stickers that would spare them from paying the fees.
It has been given the go-ahead by the council’s financial, administrative and legislative committee and has been referred to council chairman Ghazi Al Murbati to put to a vote at a special meeting.
“Most of the elderly receive low pensions while others receive a maximum of only BD110 every month as social aid which means paying municipal fees is burdensome,” said Mr Al Doy.
“Most of them pay BD10 a month for municipal parking spaces near their homes.
“Some of the areas have parking meters that charge 200 fils per hour and on an average people have to pay BD50 a month.
“Currently two members in a family are being granted exemption, but they may not be the elderly.”
Mr Al Doy added that the elderly also have to possibly pay 300 fils to enter a public garden where tolls have been recently introduced.
“People wanting to use the toilet in gardens, walkways and parks besides central and traditional markets have to pay 100 fils for every visit, which is troublesome to the elderly many of whom suffer from diabetes and chronic cardiac illnesses.
“The elderly deserve much more than this exemption for their vital role in the community over their years of service whether in work or the community.
“This could be the first step and could be followed by exemptions from electricity and water consumption (up to a limit).”
According to the councillor, the implementation of the proposal would cost up to a maximum of BD2 million a year “which is not much considering annual municipal revenues of BD100m”.
The elderly are already receiving a discount of 50 per cent on traffic fees, including for driving licences, vehicle registration and renewal.
Parliament’s Bahrainisation Committee chairman Ebrahim Al Nefaei said the elderly wake up every day to see traffic tickets slapped on their cars although parked near their homes.
“The tickets are issued by traffic policemen who are not aware that the cars are owned by elderly residents who park close to their homes,” he said.
“Most of the fines are for illegal parking either on the road, municipal or private property or not feeding the meter, which starts running at 7am, when most of the elderly are unable to leave their beds due to mobility difficulties,” he said.
Facilities
“Collecting fees for using public facilities such as entering gardens or using the toilet is another issue that I have had reservations on, but when the elderly want to enter they shouldn’t pay a fils.
“If the cost is around BD2m as calculated across the country, then it should be implemented immediately.”
If approved by the council, the proposal will be referred to Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf for review.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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