A TOTAL of 17,341 Bahrainis are living below the ‘line of basic life needs’ which continues to be calculated at BD336, a minister has revealed.
Social Development Minister Osama Al Asfoor told MPs in writing that financial aid was being given to the families to make up for the difference in amount.
He added that the BD336 line for families of six or more members was determined following a comprehensive study in 2013.
“Until the end of last year, 17,341 individuals were receiving social aid,” Mr Al Asfoor said, adding that those covered include families, widows, divorcees, abandoned women, the elderly, relatives of prisoners, people with disabilities, those incapable of work, unmarried girls, young boys and orphans.
“Monthly aid per individual is BD77 and for a couple is BD132, with BD28 given for each additional member,” he explained.
“It gets doubled annually for Ramadan following a Cabinet decision.
“The individuals or families also receive monthly discounts ranging between BD10 and BD20 for their utility bills.”
He said those receiving these payments and support were also automatically included in general social welfare.
“It includes monthly anti-inflation allowances of BD110 for those with income below BD300, those who take home BD300 to BD700 receive BD77, and those earning between BD700 and BD1,000 receive BD55,” Mr Al Asfoor added.
“They also receive meat allowances given every three months with the breadwinner getting BD5, adults BD3.5 each and children BD2.5 each.”
The minister further explained that people with disabilities or their families receive BD100 monthly.
He was responding to a question by services committee vice-chairwoman Jalila Al Sayed on the line of basic needs for Bahraini families.
Labour Minister and former social development minister Jameel Humaidan had earlier said that BD336 was not enough and the government was also allocating hundreds of millions of dinars per year as social welfare. He stressed that the line was initiated to determine families in dire need, while not disregarding others.
Meanwhile, Mr Al Asfoor said, in another written response on charity collections, that six bodies have been referred to the Public Prosecution for lack of permissions or improper conduct.
“We have licensed 178 money collection campaigns for local causes and 81 for causes abroad,” said Mr Al Asfoor, in response to a question by financial and economic affairs committee vice-chairman Mohammed Al Rifaee.
“There were six violating parties who have been referred to the Public Prosecution,” he added.
“Details related to each campaign are verified by us alongside the Central Bank of Bahrain and the Interior Ministry.”
Housing and Urban Planning Minister Amna Al Romaihi will also appear during the weekly Parliament session on Tuesday to respond to four questions.
“We have found solutions to the limited spaces in the Capital Governorate by launching multiple schemes and housing projects across Bahrain,” said Ms Al Romaihi.
“The waiting period for housing services has been reduced,” she added.
“We have given 1,503 homes, 39 plots and 54 apartments to families in Capital Governorate constituency seven (Jid Ali, Jirdab and Al Nasfa), and 423 homes, 23 plots and 21 apartments to families in constituency four (Juffair, Al Ghuraifa, Adliya, Umm Al Hassam, Mina Salman and Abu Ghazal).”
She added that for Capital Governorate constituency one (old Manama – Al Fadhel and Palace Avenue – Hoora, Diplomatic Area, Al Fateh Corniche, King Faisal Corniche, parts of Salmaniya and parts of Gudaibiya), 43 private properties were purchased for BD5.2 million and 3,812sqm open plots at a cost of BD3.8m.
“We have given 506 homes, 10 plots and 96 apartments to applicants for the constituency since 2002.
“For people from the Northern Governorate constituency five (Al Qadam, Al Hajar, Abu Saiba, Shakhoora, Saar, south Janabiya and Maqaba), we have allotted 1,907 homes, 53 plots and 20 apartments.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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