Subsidy cut incurs MPs’ IRE, ruckus in council

Heated arguments in Parliament House over meat subsidy reduction

Muhannad Mansour/DTNN

muhannad@dt.bh

Manama

The weekly meeting in the Parliament House yesterday witnessed heated discussion and commotion over the government’s recent decision of removing meat subsidies.

“We strongly reject any official decision that directly affects citizens’ livelihood,” MPs stressed.

Their rejection was in reply to the government’s announcements during the past couple of days, stating that it would slash out several subsidies, including meat, electricity, water and oil products in a bid to cut cost and tackle the deficit in the country’s budget.

Majority of the parliamentarians voted for issuing an official statement rejecting the government’s decisions. They pledged not to approve the state budget for the fiscal year of 2015-2016, (which is currently in-between lawmakers’ hands for approval), unless an agreement is reached between the government and the Legislative Authority, which includes Shura and Parliament Councils.

During the discussion, some MPs criticised the government, particularly Finance Minister Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, as he assured them in a recent meeting that no decisions regarding the state budget would be taken without the Parliament’s approval. But the subsidy-cutting decision came a few days after his assurance to MPs.

Some MPs went to the extent of threatening to submit their resignations, in case the decision was approved.

MPs clamour for revision

Sharing his views, MP Jamal Buhassan said “It’s not the first time the government would break its promises to the council.”

“They confirm to us that they will consult us, yet, they turn back and take solo decisions. This happened a few months back when the medical fees were increased without discussing the matter with the MPs,” Buhassan added.

The council’s Second Vice Chairman Abdulhaleem Murad said: “This is a surprising step by the government. It created confusion, nuisance and anxiety among Bahrainis. Until we are convinced that redirecting subsidies wouldn’t harm citizens of all sectors, this decision will remain unaccepted.”

MP Abdulrahman Buali remarked, “With the approach of the Holy Month of Ramadan, citizens are concerned about the increasing expenses, especially foodstuff. We should seek means to support them during these times, instead of depriving them of subsidised consumables. If implemented, this decision will have a negative and direct impact on citizens.”

MP Mohammed Al Jowder said, “We were seeking enhancing wages of citizens when we came to this council. It’s a dangerous decision that humiliates Bahraini citizens.”

During their speech before fellow legislators, MP Mohammed Al Ammadi, Nabeel Al Balooshi and others stated that “it’s better for us to resign, instead of failing the people, who supported us to reach this council.”

MP Ahmed Qarata commented: “Instead of redirecting foodstuff subsidies, why can’t the government cut electricity, water or other sectors subsidies? BD67 million is the support to foodstuff in a year, while other sectors such as gas companies, Mumtalakat company or the Electricity and Water Authority receive more than BD610 million annually, without pumping one Dinar into the state budget.”

The MPs also castigated Information Affairs Minister Isa Al Hammadi’s recent statements, which confirmed that more subsidies would be scrapped soon in addition to meat products, such as electricity, water and oil products.

Shura Council and Parliament Affairs Minister Ghanim Al Buainain, who was present at the session, endorsed his fellow Minister’s statements.

However, the MPs unified statement, issued following the session, appealed to the Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, to take a decisive decision in this regard.

They also agreed to discuss the matter intensively during the upcoming meeting next Tuesday.