MPs call to closely monitor shops, markets, co-ops during Ramadan

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Bid to prevent commercial fraud, price manipulation

KUWAIT CITY, May 22: Several lawmakers have called on the concerned authorities to closely monitor markets, shops and cooperative societies in the holy month of Ramadan in order to prevent commercial fraud and price manipulation. MP Faisal Al-Kandari stressed the need to intensify efforts in monitoring markets, cooperative societies and shops during Ramadan; urging the concerned authorities to check consumer goods regularly. He asked the Consumer Protection Department in the Ministry of Commerce to form task forces for each governorate to prevent price manipulation. He said all those proven to have violated the law must be referred to the Public Prosecution and punished accordingly, such as closure of erring establishments.

He also urged the concerned authorities to refrain from compromising with those who violated the law as they should be held accountable, especially those who take advantage of occasions like the holy month of Ramadan to earn higher profits.

MP Riyadh Al-Adsani alleged that some companies and traders are taking advantage of occasions including Ramadan and Eid holidays, so the government must be responsible enough in controlling prices and checking the quality of products. He underscored the importance of coordination between inspectors in the ministries of Commerce, Social Affairs and Municipality Affairs to monitor markets and cooperative societies; adding that more than KD 500 million of purchasing power come from cooperative societies.

In another development, MP Auda Al- Ruwaiei confirmed appropriateness of the interpellation request that he and MP Khalil Abdullah intend to submit against Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Mohammad Al-Faris who has not taken even a single step to address issues raised earlier. He said the interpellation request is ready and it consists of five points — the most important of which are the universities and fake certificates. He added the request will most likely be submitted at the beginning of the next legislative round, because they have no time to do so within the current round.

Study
On the other hand, the committee tasked to study points of the two interpellation requests against HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al- Hamad Al-Sabah laid down its working mechanism on Monday. Committee Rapporteur MP Rakan Al-Nisf disclosed the panel will invite the prime minister to its meeting next week. He expects the committee to address irregularities highlighted in the two grilling motions, hoping the committee will submit its report to the Parliament soon. Moreover, the commission of inquiry tasked to look into violations in the Ministry of Health on Monday talked about its agenda for the coming days.

Committee Rapporteur MP Sadoun Hammad Al-Otaibi affirmed that an agreement has been reached to extend the work of the committee until the beginning of the next legislative round, indicating a request in this regard will be submitted to National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim soon. He added the committee has obtained approval for its members to travel to America, France, Britain and Germany to investigate violations in the Kuwaiti health offices in these countries.

He said the State Audit Bureau provided the commission with a box of documents about the irregularities found in the Health Ministry. He also unveiled a plan to summon the former minister and undersecretary. In the meantime, the food and agriculture authorities have assured the parliamentary Finance Committee that the local market needs another livestock company.

Committee Rapporteur Safa Al- Hashim said, “We have a community that eats rabbits, so why the government does not produce rabbits, especially since the private sector made profits from that?” She added they will not accept the fi- nance minister’s letter about the second livestock company.

By Abubakar A. Ibrahim Arab Times Staff

This news has been read 5638 times!