MP Al Rifai Proposes Doubling Electricity Subsidies for Multi-Family Households During Peak Season

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

MP Mohammed Al Rifai has submitted a proposal to the Bahraini government calling for the doubling of electricity subsidies for households with multiple families residing under one roof during May to September.

The proposal, co-signed by MPs Hisham Al Awadhi, Jaleela Al Alawai, Ahmed Qarata, and Abdulnabi Salman, aims to alleviate the financial burden on citizens during the peak summer months when electricity consumption significantly increases.

In his explanatory memorandum, Al Rifai highlighted the current situation where many homes are occupied by multiple families, often consisting of a homeowner and their married children. These households, despite having multiple families living within them, are currently only eligible for the electricity subsidy allocated to a single family.

The proposal suggests that each family within such a household should receive a separate share of the electricity subsidy, effectively doubling the total amount of support received. This means that the current 3 fils per unit subsidy would be increased to 6 fils per unit for two families and 9 fils per unit for three families. Similar increases would apply to the 9 fils and 16 fils per unit subsidies.

To ensure that the subsidies are targeted towards those most in need, the proposal specifies that the families residing in the household must be first-degree relatives of the account holder and that the maximum number of subsidized units per account should be capped at three.

The MPs stressed that the proposal is designed to provide targeted support to Bahraini citizens during the peak summer months when electricity consumption is at its highest. They expressed their hope that the government will consider their proposal and implement the necessary changes to the electricity subsidy system.