MPs eye grilling 3 ministers on Feb 9 Parliament session – Pressure mounting on Al-Ali to confirm Al-Ajmi’s appointment

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KUWAIT CITY, Jan 31: There are indications that some lawmakers will grill the Minister of Finance Anas Al-Saleh, Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr Yusuf Al-Ali and Minister of Health Dr Ali Al-Obaid during the parliamentary session set for Feb 9. The possible grilling inquests are coming at a time both authorities are working hard to form synergy and find solutions to the subsidy regime and to cover the budget deficit.

The grilling inquests are due to alleged waste of public funds in various forms including allowances being paid to senior officials, industrial lands and overseas medical treatments. A source said the Minister of Finance purportedly took certain decisions contrary to the government plan to cut down on expenditure by approving KD 250 monthly transport allowance for officials after withdrawing their official cars

He said the action is detrimental to the national budget deficit. As for the Minister of Commerce and Industry, he noted that tremendous pressure is mounting on Al-Ali from a section of lawmakers who want him to confirm the appointment of Fuhad Al-Ajmi as the substantial Director General of the Public Authority for Industry, where he is working in the acting capacity. However, another group of lawmakers have cautioned him against the action, with threat of grilling coming from both sides.

He continued the Minister of Health is facing grilling threat due to what some lawmakers regard as continual violation of policies governing overseas medical treatment. They stressed that funds set aside for overseas medical treatment in the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Health are enough to cover budgets of some African countries.

By Raed Yusuf and Abdul- Rahman Al-Shimmari Al-Seyassah Staff

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