Unused Government Money to Fund Projects and Pensions

TDT | Manama

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Unused government funds would be redirected into development projects or the pension system under a draft law before Parliament. The proposal, put forward by MP Basma Mubarak, seeks to stop unspent money from gathering dust in ministry budgets and instead put it to work in areas that need it.

If passed, funds left over from government budgets would be pooled into a new account under the Ministry of Finance and National Economy. Money set aside for projects that never got off the ground or were indefinitely shelved would be redirected to either high-priority infrastructure or the pension and social insurance fund.

Mubarak said the plan was about making better use of public money. ‘Government budgets should serve the people, not sit unused while key projects stall or pension funds struggle. This proposal ensures every dinar is put to work,’ she said.

Government departments would have to file yearly reports detailing unused funds and projects that had been delayed or abandoned. A panel, chaired by the Finance Ministry and including the National Audit Office (NAO) and the Social Insurance Organisation (SIO), would oversee allocations to ensure spending was above board.

If approved, the changes would take effect at the start of the next financial year.