V L Srinivasan
Manama (Bahrain), April 26:
Around 76,000 Bahraini families may soon be issued with ration cards to help them cope with the increasing costs of food and basic commodities.
A committee of MPs yesterday mooted a proposal to set up a new system whereby ration cards are handed out to all Bahraini families regardless of their social background.
The proposal is to be discussed by the Council of Representatives during their session today.
Second Vice Speaker Adel A Rahman Al Moawda explained that such a system will ensure added benefits for Bahrainis and will provide guarantees that the system is not being abused. “It is the right of every citizen to have food security. There are conditions or strings attached to issue ration cards to the Bahraini citizens but everyone will be entitled to get these cards irrespective of their social background,” Mr. Al Moawda told DT.
He explained that the Council has already accepted the proposal and will do its best to have it approved as soon as possible. “Unfortunately, we may only have another two to three sessions (before the summer recess) and we hope that this proposal will be cleared during these sessions. If not, we will take it up after the summer holidays and have it implemented before the end of this year,” he added.
He allayed fears that providing food subsidies to Bahrainis will have an indirect impact on expats as they will have to pay more for their food items. “The majority of expats work for Bahraini families and they take care of their accommodation and food,” he said.
If implemented, Bahrain will be the third country in the region after Kuwait and Qatar to offer such social benefits to its citizens. Bahraini families will be able to purchase essential commodities such as rice, milk, pulses, wheat and meat at subsidised prices as fixed by the Government.
In view of growing inflation, the Government has already announced that each Bahraini family will be given BD50 per month as an inflation subsidy. The proposal to issue ration cards is expected to further help those in need.
Manama (Bahrain), April 26:
Around 76,000 Bahraini families may soon be issued with ration cards to help them cope with the increasing costs of food and basic commodities.
A committee of MPs yesterday mooted a proposal to set up a new system whereby ration cards are handed out to all Bahraini families regardless of their social background.
The proposal is to be discussed by the Council of Representatives during their session today.
Second Vice Speaker Adel A Rahman Al Moawda explained that such a system will ensure added benefits for Bahrainis and will provide guarantees that the system is not being abused. “It is the right of every citizen to have food security. There are conditions or strings attached to issue ration cards to the Bahraini citizens but everyone will be entitled to get these cards irrespective of their social background,” Mr. Al Moawda told DT.
He explained that the Council has already accepted the proposal and will do its best to have it approved as soon as possible. “Unfortunately, we may only have another two to three sessions (before the summer recess) and we hope that this proposal will be cleared during these sessions. If not, we will take it up after the summer holidays and have it implemented before the end of this year,” he added.
He allayed fears that providing food subsidies to Bahrainis will have an indirect impact on expats as they will have to pay more for their food items. “The majority of expats work for Bahraini families and they take care of their accommodation and food,” he said.
If implemented, Bahrain will be the third country in the region after Kuwait and Qatar to offer such social benefits to its citizens. Bahraini families will be able to purchase essential commodities such as rice, milk, pulses, wheat and meat at subsidised prices as fixed by the Government.
In view of growing inflation, the Government has already announced that each Bahraini family will be given BD50 per month as an inflation subsidy. The proposal to issue ration cards is expected to further help those in need.
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