Compensation for citizens sought over fuel price hike

MPs yesterday passed a proposal seeking compensation for Bahrainis over the recently-hiked gasoline prices.

A majority of lawmakers agreed to pass a proposal to compensate the citizens for the fuel prices, which increased by 60 per cent last month, as it had a strong and direct impact on their livelihoods.

The government raised the prices of gasoline in the country overnight without consulting the MPs.

Over 30 MPs filed a request to question both Energy and Finance Ministers, Dr. Abdulhussain Mirza and Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, but the request was scrapped, as it was “not serious enough” as per a specialised parliamentary committee.

The MPs also decided to return the proposal to amend the existing Sanitary and Surface Water Discharge Law by imposing fees on expats and non-domestic use, to the council’s Public Utilities and Environment Committee.