Subsidy removal:MPs bat for ex-gratia for butchers
In the wake of the recent decision to remove meat subsidy, Parliamentarians yesterday agreed to the urgent proposals set to improve the situations of local butchers and citizens.
During their weekly meeting yesterday, MPs voted for three proposals in regard to saving local butchers and citizens from the aftermath of the subsidy removal decision, which came to effect on October 1.
A proposal also sought to double the current compensation to citizens by making it BD10 for each Bahraini family member, from the previous compensation ranging from BD5 to BD3.5 according to age of citizens.
The second proposal includes a comprehensive study on the situations of local butchers and meat traders who suffered losses after meat prices hiked. The legislators also agreed upon another proposal seeking compensation to meat traders for the losses they suffered for a month since the decision was implemented. Voting was held amidst intense discussions, as many MPs demanded the government to own the responsibility of its “one-sided” decision.
MP Adel Binhameed said, “There is chaos in the meat central markets now is all because of the subsidy removal. The government solely took the decision and it’s obvious that they didn’t study its consequences. Even after it was implemented, the government didn’t take any further action.”
MP Ibrahim Al Hammadi said, “There are no official efforts to protect citizens. We can soon expect unemployment surge in the country.”
Shedding light on a possible solution, MP Ali Bufarsan hinted at the potential role of the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) in solving the situation.“Tamkeen had played vital roles in assisting troubled establishments during the economic crisis the country witnessed in the past,” Bufarsan commented.
Sharing a similar opinion, MP Ahmed Qarata said, “Tamkeen should compensate the butchers, as they were the most affected by the decision.” Information and Parliament Affairs Minister Isa bin Abdulrahman Al Hammadi said, “The government had previously provided the information on the
followed criteria while setting compensation. I wish the financial affects of the proposal on the state budget and expenditures could be studied before submitting the proposal.”Anyhow, he said the government would study the proposal and added “what is being circulated about meat prices after subsidy removal is exaggerated.”
BD0.250 per KG?
During the discussion, MP Jamal Dawood said the compensation amount should be reconsidered immediately as the situation was worsening. “A citizen distributing flyers in Hamad Town is stressing that meat prices should be BD0.250 per kg. This is a dangerous indicator,” he said.
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