(MENAFN - Arab News) The Shoura Council on Monday postponed a debate on imposing a uniform standard on air conditioners sold in the Kingdom.
Monday's sixth regular session was presided over by its Chairman Abdullah Al-Asheikh.
On Sunday, the house approved a suggestion made by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization to conduct tests on all locally produced and imported goods before they come to the market.
Shoura Council Secretary-General Muhammed Al-Ghamdi said the decision on air conditioners came up as an additional recommendation from the committee on economic affairs and energy. He added the house decided to take up this item when the council receives the subsequent annual report of the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization next year.
During a recent discussion between Shoura Council members and Abdullah Al-Hussayen, minister of water and electricity, it was revealed the ministry was interested in stipulating a set standard for air conditioners sold in the Kingdom to ensure quality and reduce the use of energy.
The house also discussed a report presented by the committee on housing, water, and public services on the Al-Ahsa Irrigation and Drainage Authority for the fiscal year 1431H/1432H.
Members expressed their views on the reasonable use of water in irrigation and how to reduce the volume of water wasted in the area.
A member suggested the need to review the functions of the authority and proposed a structural change in the organization. He said restructuring would lead to better services and could eventually lead to its transformation into a national body.
Members also urged the body to search for sustainable sources of water, such as the use of solar energy for desalination purposes. The house will continue the discussion.
In January last year, the Cabinet approved the restructuring of the board of directors of the Irrigation and Drainage Authority in Ahsa for a period of three years under the chairmanship of the minister of agriculture. The other members of the board would include the director general of the Irrigation and Drainage Authority, representative of the Ministry of Water and Electricity Ahmed bin Abdulrahman Al-Bassam, Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Hamdan from King Saud University, Saleh bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Barrak from the private sector and Mahdi bin Yassin Al-Ramadan from the private sector.
