KUWAIT CITY, Feb 28:  HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah strongly supports the decision of Information and Oil Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to face a parliamentary inquest, reports Al-Anba quoting sources.
Sources disclosed the government fully supports the steps taken by the minister concerning the violations committed recently by some satellite channels.  Sources have also quoted the premier as saying that he takes note of all the issues he tackles with the ministers and he will punish any minister who fails to fulfill his duties, if necessary.
On the alleged plan to reshuffle officials in some ministries, sources vehemently denied the rumors, asserting the government has no intention to transfer or dismiss any official at this time.  Sources asserted Sheikh Ahmad will remain in his post and discussions on the date of his grilling are still ongoing.
Sources said the grilling might take place on March 2 or 16 but it will most likely happen on the 16th as several MPs are outside the country for the holidays.  Sources explained the minister has right to request postponement of the interpellation for two weeks. 
Meanwhile, an alliance consisting of members from the Popular Labor and Reform and Development Blocs put the final touches on the grilling of Sheikh Ahmad during their meeting Friday, reports Al-Rai daily quoting sources.

Sources revealed participants in the meeting include MPs Musallam Al-Barrak, Dr Jamaan Al-Harbash and Ali Al-Deqbasi.  Sources said the discussion centered on the need to obtain maximum support for the grilling and increase pressure on the government, as well as the possibility of the alliance to continue working after the grilling.  Sources added the participants also spoke to other MPs by phone, encouraging them to support the grilling. 
Disclosing the number of MPs who support the grilling might reach 24, sources affirmed the signatories of the petition include MPS Dr Waleed Al-Tabtabaei, Faisal Al-Muslim, Al-Harbash, Falah Al-Sawagh, Khalid Al-Tahous, Al-Barrak, Mohammad Hayef, Dr Mohammad Al-Huwaila, Faisal Al-Duwaisan, Hassan Jowhar, Hussein Mezyed and Dr Daifallah Buramiya, while Shuaib Al-Muwaizri has expressed his willingness to sign the request.
In another parliamentary development, Al-Anba daily has reported that the Financial Affairs Committee at the Parliament and the government will soon discuss the new amendments to the Fund for the Needy.
Sources said Minister of Finance Mustafa Al-Shamali and State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Roudhan Al-Roudhan will discuss the amendments with the committee later.  Sources pointed out a large number of citizens are facing travel bans and arrest warrants for failure to pay their debts.