More time on meat subsidy: joint panel

Joint panel seeks govt nod to postpone redirecting subsidy issue to October

Manama

The suspense on the issue of redirecting the benefits of meat subsidy continues to linger with no clear decision yet.

This became evident when the joint government parliament committee yesterday sought government approval to postpone the decision.

The committee, which met yesterday, sought two more months’ time from the government to study the issue further.

The decision to buy more time by the committee was confirmed by MP Shaikh Majid Al Majid who chaired the crucial meeting.

Al Majid stressed, the members of the committee were working very hard and were keen to come out with a consensus along with the government.

 The move, Al Majid said, was aimed at protecting the citizens against any negative outcome as meat subsidy is all set to be phased out.

 Information Affairs Minister Isa bin Abdulrahman Al-Hammadi, however, maintained that cabinet in its session did not discuss the subsidy issue.

The Minister further reiterated that the government would inform the public about the details as and when a final decision is taken.

He also went on add that the joint committee with the legislative branch had previously held several meetings on the issue.

But no decision was submitted to the cabinet today, he confirmed.

Does it mean that the previous decision to axe subsidy from September 1 would also get postponed? As it stands now, there is no clarity.