A government bill set for Parliament review on Tuesday proposes increasing fines to up to BD10,000 for anyone who blocks, diverts or illegally builds over agricultural drainage systems. Under the proposed changes, the offences include ob
TDT | Manama
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A government bill set for Parliament review on Tuesday proposes increasing fines to up to BD10,000 for anyone who blocks, diverts or illegally builds over agricultural drainage systems.
Under the proposed changes, the offences include obstructing water flow, altering the course of drains, constructing over them, or failing to comply with official instructions on drainage management.
Current penalties under the law provide for up to three months in prison and fines not exceeding BD500, allowing courts discretion to impose either penalty or both.
The bill would significantly tighten sanctions, introducing a minimum of three months’ imprisonment and fines ranging from BD1,000 to BD10,000, while allowing harsher penalties where other laws apply. Repeat offenders within a year of serving a previous sentence would face double penalties.
It also empowers the agricultural drains department to intervene directly in confirmed violations. Offenders would first be ordered to remove the breach and repair any damage at their own expense within a maximum of one month. In urgent cases, authorities could carry out the work themselves and recover costs from the violator.
The draft law further allows designated inspectors to monitor farms and agricultural land, subject to ministerial approval, while requiring Public Prosecution permission to enter private residences or living quarters.
