(MENAFN- Arab Times) Studies, government reports and recommendations of the committee tasked to review subsidies are gearing towards the rationalization of subsidies, especially since some subsidies are given to undeserving people, says MP Ahmed Lari. Speaking to reporters, Lari stressed the need to change the government's policy on subsidies considering the budget deficit and oil price decline. He pointed out the price of oil in the global market now ranges from $40 to $60 while it is feared that the price will go down further due to the signing of the nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 countries.
He stressed the need to intensify efforts to diversify sources of national income, including rationalization of subsidies, but it should not affect the ordinary citizens. He also called for more focus on investment spending instead of consumer spending and the establishment of large companies in the fields of education, health and housing to contribute to the diversification of national income sources.
Meanwhile, the parliamentary Educational Committee held its second meeting on Monday on the alleged irregularities in scholarships and appointments at Kuwait University (KU) and the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET). Committee Rapporteur MP Khalil Abdullah disclosed they discussed anomalies in scholarship procedures at KU with the minister of higher education who vowed to hold accountable all those behind these malpractices. He said they also agreed that the Kuwait University Office should receive scholarship-related complaints starting from Wednesday to protect the right of the complainants to resort to court and to ensure they do so within 60 days.
He added the committee discovered that there is no one in charge of grievances, indicating the minister has confirmed that the Complaints Committee will review the previous applications and in case of unfair withdrawal of scholarships, the privilege will be restored in accordance with the regulations. He went on to say the committee will address irregularities in the announcement and conditions for scholarships while it has been proven the evaluation form being used by the Scholarship Committee in the Science Department is flawed; hence, the need for a thorough review. On another issue, MP Abdul-Rahman Al-Jeeran commended the appointment of Abdul Aziz Al-Dakheel as head of the Financial Controllers Agency. He pointed out Al-Dhakeel is a national symbol and he is known for being committed to his work and selfless service.
He believes this is the beginning of the quantum leap towards proper application of the law to monitor funds and expenditures in a bid to stop anomalies and hold responsible all those behind such acts. He urged Al-Dakheel to fully utilize the expertise and skills of incumbent officials in the financial sector in heading the agency as this will reflect positively on efforts to stop wastage and embezzlement of public funds. Furthermore, MP Askar Al-Enezi has suggested the formation of a service and administrative council of undersecretaries, to be headed by the chairman of the Citizens Service Center, for the evaluation of the performance of government agencies or their authorized representatives.
In his proposal, Al-Anzi stressed the significance of strengthening cooperation between government bodies to simplify procedures and improve their performance to better serve the public. He also stressed the importance of holding regular meetings between State leaders to exchange views and experiences, as well as tackle obstacles, in order to find lasting solutions to problems.
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