Parliament fuss over gasoline subsidy

MPs and representatives of the Bahrain government have not reached an agreement on the removal of gasoline subsidy, which is expected to be announced later this year, DT has learnt.

The removal of gasoline subsidy will definitely be implemented, an MP told DT News and will increase by at least two or three times the current prices, which is 100 and 80 fils per litre.

However, no confirmation was available on the exact cost of unsubsidised gasoline.

Speaking to DT News yesterday was member of the Council of Representatives’ Subsidy Redirection Committee MP Ali Al Muqla, who said, “committee members are threatening to withdraw from the panel if the government continues to disregard their views on such vital matters.”

Al Muqla stated, “In fact, one MP of the 12-member panel had withdrawn recently and three others, including me, will do the same if the same solo-attitude of the government continues. MP Mohammed Al Ammadi announced his withdrawal from the committee recently. MP Ahmed Qarata and Mohammed Al Ahmed and I are intending to do the same if this disregard of our views from the government’s side continues.”

The MP stated that the government informed that it’s planning to monthly compensate Bahraini families with BD25, which he said “isn’t enough for one driver’s monthly supply of gasoline.”

“We suggested providing each Bahraini holding a driving licence with 400 subsidised litres of gasoline a month, which is BD40. No reply was given by the government’s representatives in regards to this particular point. Anyhow, discussions are continuing, but nothing was agreed on from both sides yet,” the lawmaker informed.

According to Al Muqla, “The government took one-sided decisions in regards to the redirection of meat, kerosene and diesel subsidies. We have reached a semi-consensus in regards to the removal of electricity subsidies, benefiting citizens in the first place.”

He clarified that “the work of the committee was initially to discuss the matters of redirecting subsidies all at once with the government then refer its views to the council’s speaker and the rest of the MPs for approval.”

“Now the government is throwing a big burden on our shoulders by demanding us to agree to their decisions. We don’t even know what’s their next step, placing us in a very tight spot,” Al Muqla added.

As reported earlier, the government of Bahrain is taking several measures to redirect subsidies to only benefit citizens, as part of its cost-cutting procedures.

Electricity, diesel, kerosene and meat subsidies removal were announced during the past few months, increasing its cost nearly to the production cost.