A proposal to reduce utility bills for Bahrain households in summer by doubling the subsidised electricity and water units from June to August has been rejected by the government.
Parliament and Shura Council Affairs Minister Ghanim Al Buainain told MPs that increasing the subsidised units from 3,000 to 6,000 for three months would reduce the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA)’s revenues by around BD8 million.
He said the proposal would not be feasible at a time when the EWA has committed itself to balance its revenues and spending.
“The government is currently paying around BD233m annually, as of the end of 2022, for subsidised electricity and water to Bahraini households,” the minister said.
Replies on 10 proposals submitted by MPs to the government for review over the past six months are set for debate during Parliament’s session on Tuesday. They have been signed by Mr Al Buainain, who has been deputised by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
l In reply to a proposal to launch a national scheme to provide support to Bahrainis under social welfare, until they get a monthly income of BD800, the minister said it was already being implemented with many underprivileged individuals benefiting from aid to become financially independent.
l In another response to a proposal to have government-owned and semi-owned companies offer jobs for Bahrainis at career expos, he said the firms were providing top posts with lucrative pay for jobseekers and those looking for better opportunities.
l Mr Al Buainain said Tamkeen has been supporting nursery and kindergarten teachers’ wages since 2016 through numerous schemes in line with the job market, in response to a proposal to increase their wages from the current BD60 to BD300.
l A proposal to allow adult students (home students) to complete secondary school by sitting for exams remotely has been rejected. The ministry said it was difficult to monitor remote exams and actual attendance in an examination room was vital for proper assessment.
l The children speech learning programme in King Hamad University Hospital is only open for Muharraq Governorate residents at the moment, the minister revealed. However, the Supreme Council for Health could organise it in other facilities in future, he added, in response to a proposal to have the service opened to all Bahrainis.
l A proposal to have specialised teams promote higher education in Bahrain has been approved and the Higher Education Council assigned to assemble teams to enable the move.
l A proposal to expand social housing schemes is currently being implemented with further initiatives on the way.
l All services provided by the former East Riffa Health Centre have been moved to Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalid Health Centre and health authorities are evaluating options to use the closed facility for other medical purposes, he said in response to a proposal to have the centre reopened.
l A proposal to have all newcomers and existing private sector employees come under Tamkeen’s wage support programme is currently under implementation, said the minister.
Meanwhile, Mr Al Buainain, who is also politically responsible for the Civil Service Commission, said civil service disciplinary codes have been improved to ensure accountability, productivity and punctuality. The minister was responding in writing to a question by MP Mohammed Al Rifaee on disciplinary mechanisms implemented in ministries and government bodies.
“Disciplinary action is only taken after all aspects are reviewed – including listening to employees, evaluating evidence and testimonies,” said Mr Al Buainain. “The disciplinary codes have been improved to match the offence, severity, extent of damage and effect on the work environment.”
Multi-million dinar infrastructure projects that include new underpasses, flyovers and lane expansions are in the pipeline to ease congestion on Bahrain’s road networks, it has been revealed.
Works Minister Ibrahim Al Hawaj said, in writing, that the focus would also be on revamping highways, starting with the main Shaikh Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah Highway which stretches from Umm Al Hassam to Riffa.
Initial artist impressions for the highway’s development have been drawn up, he added, in response to a question by Parliament’s services committee vice-chairwoman Lulwa Al Romaihi on roadwork solutions.
“Millions of dinars are being spent to implement solutions that will reduce travel time and make it more convenient for motorists, who are currently facing agonising traffic congestion,” Mr Al Hawaj said.
“We are planning strategic road arteries in co-ordination with government bodies while also ensuring mainstream routes cope with the traffic flow across all governorates.
“Our focus is now on the massive revamp of Shaikh Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah Highway as we enhance, upgrade and develop it to match the expected urban development and population surge.”
Both ministers will appear to respond to further queries on both replies on Tuesday.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh.
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