Panel to discuss withdrawal of KD 6 bln from reserve fund

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KUWAIT CITY, Dec 15: The Parliament on Tuesday approved the request of Financial and Economic Affairs Committee Chairman MP Faisal Al-Shaye to form a joint panel consisting of members from the Finance, Budget and Final Accounts, Interior and Defense, and Foreign Affairs committees, to discuss a draft law on authorizing the government to withdraw KD 6 billion from the general reserve to enhance the military capabilities of the State.

The draft law stipulates that the government is authorized to take money from the general reserve by setting up a special budget for 10 years to improve the defense system.

It also states that the annual allocation shall be compatible with the financial situation of the country with a detailed financial account yearly. On the other hand, the Parliament asked the Education Committee to investigate nonaccredited and counterfeit certificates and submit its report to the National Assembly within three months. It also instructed the committee to submit its report on the Electronic Media Bill in the next session.

Meanwhile, the Parliament discussed the Priorities Committee’s report on the work program of the government. MP Faisal Al-Duwaisan claimed all the problems they are facing came from the government which failed to solve many crises. MP Adnan AbdulSamad explained the committee’s role is very important while the government’s work program is part of its five-year development plan and the State’s general budget so the figures must tally. He said the country is facing a problem in the construction projects due to the delay between the first and second bidders as this usually leads to wastage of public money.

MP Abdul-Hammed Dashti stressed the need for the MPs to exercise their oversight role “because our vision may differ from that of the Priorities Committee”. He said 15 bills will be discussed in the coming sessions, indicating the Parliament and the Priorities Committee will look into each bill. MP Faisal Al-Kandari thinks the Priorities Committee has started to take over the role of the Parliament. He also lamented the ministries failed to implement their projects, stressing the committee’s report is nothing but words which cannot hold the government responsible.

Furthermore, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and State Minister for Planning and Development Affairs Hind Al-Sabeeh asserted the government follows up the implementation of strategic projects. She pointed out the high expenditures on these projects are manifestations of real achievements, stressing contractors are paid only upon completion of the projects. She further clarified the projects are monitored from the beginning for the ministry to determine which of the concerned parties failed to implement the work program of the government. She added the officials in the Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development visit the strategic projects every three months to ensure compliance with the provisions of the contracts. Minister of Public Works and State Minister for National Assembly Affairs Ali Al-Omair denied the allegation that the Public Works Ministry is behind the delayed completion of the Police Hospital project. “This is one of the development projects that the ministry is keen on completing,” he added.

By Abubakar A. Ibrahim Arab Times Staff

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