BD 50 fuel subsidy, BD20 child allowance for Bahraini families

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The Financial and Economic Affairs Committee of the Parliament yesterday approved a proposal to grant BD50 as fuel subsidy to Bahraini families every month.

The move, parliamentarians said, aims to reduce the burden on families amid the economic strain caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“The subsidy will help families meet their transportation needs,” MPs said.

The Ministry of Finance and National Economy said the government is keen to improve the living standards of Bahraini citizens, for which the budget has various provisions.

“The government will continue to increase the appropriations for social protection until it reaches BD435 million per fiscal year,” the minister added.

However, the new fuel subsidy would negatively impact the Kingdom’s budget deficit and boost public debt.

The ministry told parliamentarians in a written statement.

Child allowances

Separately, Parliamentarians said they would vote in their next session on a proposal to grant BD20 per child to Bahraini families every month.

The subsidy also limits the number of children covered not to exceed four.

The House Financial Affairs Committee said the proposal would cost the state about BD60 million annually.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Development said the proposal is outside the scope of its jurisdiction.

The ministry said it provides social assistance per the Social Security Law No. (18) of 2006 and Insurance against Unemployment Insurance Law issued under Decree-Law No. (78) of 2006 and others following the established conditions and controls.

Representatives Hamad Al-Kooheji, Ammar Qambar and Muhammad Bouhamoud made the proposal.