Kuwait- MP Ultimatum On Bedoun Authority

(MENAFN- Arab Times) MP Faisal Al-Duwaisan has stressed the need to specify the authority in charge of the Central System for Remedying the Status of Illegal Residents (CSRSIR); otherwise, he will ask his colleagues to reject the request to renew its term which will end this summer. In a press statement, Al-Duwaisan disclosed that State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammed Al- Abdullah has excused himself from responding to three parliamentary questions; which include the ministry or authority responsible for CSRSIR. He claimed the authority or ministry has not been specified in order to protect a particular minister from questioning. He alleged the government has no interest in resolving the Bedoun issue which is very sensitive and he fears some people might take advantage of the government's slackness to tarnish Kuwait's image in the international community.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the parliamentary Priorities Committee Yousef Al-Zalzalah said the officials in State institutions, who do not implement the development program and the State's plan, will be held accountable by removing them from their posts. Speaking to reporters after the committee meeting on Sunday, Al-Zalzalah revealed they discussed the work mechanism of the ministries of Finance and Commerce on implementing the development plan; noting that the Finance Ministry has witnessed a development in its work.

He added the Commerce Ministry is one of the technical ministries which has strong link with citizens since it is in charge of a large number of transactions. He pointed out that if the ministry implemented the projects mentioned in the meeting, then it will witness improvement in its work procedures especially since there is electronic development aimed at reducing bureaucracy. He said the Public Authority for Industry is not on par with the specified standard for the past years, "and we are waiting for it to fulfill its promise to develop the work in the ministries of Finance and Commerce". Furthermore, Chairman of the parliamentary committee tasked to investigate the alleged irregularities in the distribution of farming land areas MP Rakan Al- Nisf has affirmed that they have been working relentlessly since the formation of the committee. He disclosed the committee looked into the list of names involved in the illegal distribution of farms € a violation of the regulations and bylaws of the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR).

He affirmed the committee is keen on finding out the truth. It is worth mentioning that on Nov 19, 2014; the National Assembly formed the committee to investigate the alleged violations in the distribution of 396 farming plots in Wafra and other anomalies related to the allocation of agricultural land. After the committee meeting on Sunday, Al-Nisf confirmed the committee has started preparing its report on the investigation and it will be referred to the Parliament for discussion. He added the committee is still short of responses, noting that the deadline for the committee to complete its work is on May 19, 2015 so it does not have enough time to get the remaining responses. For this reason, the committee has forwarded a letter to the Parliament; requesting extension of the deadline for two weeks to enable the committee complete its report and refer it to the Parliament before the end of this legislative round. He revealed the committee received some inquiries forwarded to the PAAAFR in relation to the loss of files on illegal farmland possession and the measures taken against those responsible for the issue. This is in addition to the mechanism of distribution used by PAAAFR and the list of controllers from the Audit Bureau which followed up the questionable possession of farming plots.

He asserted the PAAAFR has requested for extension of the deadline to respond to questions regarding other violations from 2006 till date. He said the committee is still waiting for reports from PAAAFR, Legal Advice (Fatwa) and Legislation Department, and the joint committee tasked to look into the violations. He reiterated the committee will refer its report to the Parliament upon completion for the authority to take appropriate steps in accordance with the Constitution. He stressed that the report will be comprehensive and if the committee finds any person involved in these violations, it will not hesitate in recommending referral of the person to the Public Prosecution.

Furthermore, the Public Utilities Committee on Sunday met with representatives of the Environment Public Authority (EPA) to discuss related stipulations in the EPA Law. Committee Chairman MP Adel Al- Kharafi said the committee has had reservations on the number of articles in relation to dealing with some issues and resorting to the Fatwa and Legislative Department, as well as the arrest warrant issues. He added the committee also tackled the work procedures of some departments but postponed discussions on the Environment Bill which is regarded as one of the vital draft laws globally. He said the committee also deliberated on the Telecommunications Authority Bill and some amendments to it, indicating the bill has been referred to the Budget and Final Accounts Committee which requested for information on the budget of the authority.