BAHRAINI families receiving social aid could be exempted from paying their utility bills for June, July and August under a parliamentary proposal approved unanimously yesterday.
It will be now reviewed by the Cabinet.
The approval came despite objections from Parliament and Shura Council Affairs Minister Ghanim Al Buainain who said that the proposal includes pensioners getting up to BD1,500 per month, beneficiaries of the open meat allowance and those with income of up to BD1,000 receiving the monthly anti-inflation allowances.
“So, it is not just Bahrainis below the BD336 line of basic needs,” pointed out the minister.
Other proposals approved unanimously yesterday and referred to the Cabinet for review were:
- Starting work on a new government housing area south of Malkiya;
- Turning the now abandoned Oasis Mall near Bahrain International Airport into a one-stop government services centre;
- Cancelling the BD50 operational fee imposed on Bahrain University students to have them eligible for courses or training during the summer;
- Banning expats from getting their tourist (visit) visas turned into work permits while being in Bahrain;
- Employing all physical education university graduates in government jobs.
MPs also voted unanimously on two urgent proposals to issue statements on a gesture by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to have 236 applications by Bahrainis on Step (Khatwa) Home Projects accepted for pension and on the occasion of International Nurses Day, which fell on Friday.
They deputised Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam to issue the statements.
Meanwhile, MPs were notified of a written response from Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak on Bahrainisation percentages at his ministry.
He revealed that the ministry has 94.9pc until date with more work being done to further recruit others.
Members of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) attended yesterday’s weekly session to witness parliamentary proceedings.
Bahrain will today host a meeting of the APA Standing Committee on Economic and Sustainable Development.
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