Kuwait- Pension increase for retired military personnel approved

(MENAFN- Arab Times) The Interior and Defense Affairs Committee at the Parliament met Monday the Military Service System Committee, previously known as the 'Quartet Committee', to discuss draft bills on the pension and end-of-service privileges for retired military personnel. According to MP Nayef Al-Mirdas - rapporteur of the parliamentary committee, both sides have agreed to increase the pension of retired non-commissioned officers under two categories: those who served for 25 and 20 years. He said those with 25 years in service will be given indemnity equal to two years salary; while their pension will be fixed at KD 250 monthly and those with 20 years in service will receive one year and six months salary and the same amount of monthly pension. He explained the two committees approved the proposed fixed pension for those who retired from 1991 to 2012 with ranks ranging from lieutenant to captain. He said the Military Service System Committee has requested consultations with the Cabinet in this regard and to identify the actual number of the beneficiaries of the proposed retirement package. In another development, the Budget and Final Accounts Committee discussed the budget of the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) for fiscal 2012/2013. Committee Chairman MP Adnan Abdulsamad disclosed the estimated revenue of the authority for the next fiscal year is KD7.962 million, while the expenditure is estimated at KD33.69 million. He confirmed the difference between the expenses and revenues will be covered by the Ministry of Finance. Stating the panel also tackled the bonus item in the budget, Abdulsamad affirmed the panel members looked into the possibility of laying down a mechanism for the payment of bonuses in government institutions, in coordination with the Ministry of Finance and Civil Service Commssion (CSC), to guarantee equality among the employees. Abdulsamad added the panel also discussed the projects of the authority, such as the establishment of its branches in Jahra and Ahmadi, which was approved in fiscal 2006/2007. He clarified the Ministry of Public Works is in charge of both projects, which have yet to be completed five years after approval. Meanwhile, the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee on Monday finalized its discussion on the proposed amendment to the Public Tenders Law, and the joint-committee, consisting of members from the Financial and Legislative panels, postponed deliberations on the leadership posts and salary increase proposals for two weeks. Committee Rapporteur Ahmad Lari told reporters after the meeting that the committee acknowledges the importance of announcing the vacant leadership posts, laying down clear criteria for the applicants, and forming a neutral panel for appointing qualified applicants to these positions. He said the committee decided to postpone further discussions for two weeks as it needs time to meet the government to know the latter's stand on the issue. Lari added discussions on the salary increments and pay scales were postponed also to give the government more time to submit related documents, job descriptions and results of studies. He said the committee will also invite the concerned organizations like the Kuwait Accountants Association and Kuwait Economic Society to its meeting to discuss these proposals. He confirmed the committee will submit its final report within the three-month deadline set by the Parliament. Meanwhile, MP Shaye Al-Shaye has expressed his resentment over the recurrence of the spoilt food products scenario, attributing this to the weakness of the surveillance system at the Kuwait Municipality and other relevant bodies, which are in charge of inspecting restaurants and warehouses. He called on his colleagues to coordinate their efforts to push for the amendment of Municipality Law number 5/2005 to activate the monitoring role of the Municipality Council and to immediately punish those behind the distribution of expired food items in the local market.