Panel exempts ‘flat’ Kuwaitis – Power, water

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KUWAIT CITY, April 19: The parliamentary Financial and Economic Affairs Committee agreed Tuesday to exempt citizens residing in investment residential buildings (apartments or flats) from the proposal to increase electricity and water charges. Committee Rapporteur MP Mohammad Al-Jabri disclosed the amended version of the bill states that Kuwaitis renting apartments or flats shall be treated like their compatriots who are residing in private houses in terms of electricity and water charges provided they have no other private accommodations.

He added the committee decided to exempt the agricultural and industrial sectors as well, clarifying the regulations for production sectors are set by the ministry. On the other hand, committee member MP Ahmad Al-Qudaibi claimed the amendments approved during the meeting serve the interests of property owners, not the ordinary citizens. He said he voted against these amendments because he finds them detrimental to majority of the citizens.

Meanwhile, the Priorities Committee deliberated on the agenda for the parliamentary sessions scheduled for April 26 and 27. Committee Rapporteur MP Ahmad Lari confirmed the inclusion of the draft law on electricity and water charges in the agenda for the next session.

He pointed out the second deliberation on the bill shall cover the MPs’ proposals such as the exclusion of citizens living outside the private housing areas and determining the ceiling of charges for non-residential sectors mentioned in an agreement with the government. He said other items in the agenda include the Public Funds Protection Committee’s report on the observations of the State Audit Bureau regarding the alleged violations in the automatic systems contracts, bill about the late MP Nabil Al-Fadel, amendment of the law on disabled welfare, combating terrorism and money laundering, formation of a commission of inquiry to look into the purported irregularities in the recent appointments at the General Customs Department, and another commission of inquiry to look into anomalies in contracts, financial violations and unlawful promotions in Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and its subsidiaries.

By Abubakar A. Ibrahim Arab Times Staff

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