145,000 families applied for financial compensation

Manama, Nov.2 (BNA): A total of 145,000 Bahraini families have so far registered for the special financial compensation which followed the decision to scrap meat subsidies, said Information, Parliament Affairs Minister Isa Abdulrahman Al-Hammadi. Addressing the weekly post-cabinet press briefing, the minister said that the prices of non-subsidised meat remained unchanged in the market. Meanwhile, the prices of previously Government-subsidised meat underwent changes once the decision to scrap subsidies and pay citizens financial compensation took effect. The minister reiterated the Government's commitment to carry out the infrastructure projects which concern main and secondary roads, adding that the budget for the scheme has already been allocated under the Gulf Financial Development Plan. He pointed out that funds had already been earmarked for the Works, Municipalities and Urban Planning Ministry to start work on the planned interior roads. Regarding the decision to levy fees on public transport activities, he said that the measure would apply to radio taxi cabs, car rentals, motorcycles and other categories, pointing out that some trade companies and individuals hold licences to exercise such activities. Al-Hammadi highlighted the proposed amendments of the terms and conditions governing construction in residential areas and said that the aim of the move is to heed the interests of all parties. Under the amended legislation, a commissioned panel, which is yet to be established, would first assess the costs of expanding infrastructure, to be then distributed among the investors who own the land. "The new procedure will contribute to fast-tracking projects and enable the government to recover the costs of extending infrastructure, which would benefit all parties", he said. He highlighted that the legal tools which would be enforced to recover the costs of upgrading infrastructure in development zones, he said that the aim is to keep pace with urban and demographic growth and protect the social fabric. "The issue is still under study but the terms, once approved, would stipulate the use and category of each zone through the memo which was referred to the ministerial legal affairs committee to be further scrutinised", he said. He stressed the importance regulating the relations between owners in housing projects, pointing out that a union binding all parties before the law would be set up. Al-Hammadi stressed the efforts exerted by the ministry of health to provide healthcare for sickle cell patients, pointing out the demands of patients and their related association regarding the provision of medicine. He underlined the directives of His Royal Highness the Premier to provide all healthcare to sickle cell patients so as to enable them to exercise their normal life.