Cabinet Approves Information Indexing Bylaw, Driver Licensing Amendments

(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)

Amman, August 31 (Petra) – The Council of Ministers convened on Sunday and approved several key decisions, most notably the Information and Documents Indexing and Classification Bylaw for 2025.
The new bylaw aligns with recent amendments to the Law on Guaranteeing the Right to Access Information, particularly Articles 12 and 13, which outline exceptions to information access and mandate public departments to catalog, classify and protect documents according to professional and legal standards.
The regulation establishes a unified mechanism for indexing information and sets timelines for classification, including identifying documents deemed confidential under applicable laws.
To ensure proper implementation, the Cabinet emphasised the need for each government institution to allocate dedicated human resources within the relevant departments.
A joint committee, formed under the Information Council and comprising representatives from the Ministry of Culture, the National Library Department, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, the National Centre for Human Rights and independent experts, was tasked with overseeing the bylaw's rollout.
The bylaw is designed to enhance transparency and streamline access to information by establishing consistent procedures across all government entities. It defines classification levels and document retention standards.
Ahead of the bylaw's approval, the Ministry of Culture/National Library Department conducted 78 training courses on document classification and management. Each course included seven days of practical training and three days of theoretical instruction.
A total of 1,394 trainees from ministries and government institutions participated, ensuring readiness for implementation. Jordan was the first Arab country to enact a law guaranteeing access to information, introduced in 2007 and continually updated to align with global best practices.
Amendments to Driver Licensing Regulations
The Cabinet approved proposed amendments to the Driver Licensing Regulations for 2025, which aim to standardise the validity of driver's licenses for categories 4, 5 and 6 to five years; extend the validity of licenses for categories 1, 2, and 3 to ten years; introduce an annual permit requirement for public transport and student transport drivers to enhance road safety and protect users.
Energy Support for Families of Martyrs
In a related decision, the Cabinet approved an amendment to electricity supply regulations to allow homes of Jordanian Armed Forces and security service martyrs to benefit from rural electricity rates.
This includes installing solar cell systems connected to the national grid. The move reflects the state's appreciation for the sacrifices of martyrs and its commitment to easing the financial burdens on their families.
It supports the broader goal of expanding renewable energy use and promoting social justice.
Water Project to Support Local Development
The Cabinet approved a decision by the Water Authority's Board of Directors allowing the Al-Tuwaisa Charitable Society to utilise the fifth Abu Al-Dabaa government well in Abu Amoud village (Disa area) to support a fish farming and seasonal crop production project on 150 dunams of land.
The well, with a production capacity of 70 cubic meters per hour, will be managed by the society under Article 14 of the Groundwater Control Regulations.
The project aims to provide job opportunities for local youth and support agricultural development. The area has already been equipped with the necessary infrastructure, including electricity.
Strengthening International Cooperation
The Cabinet also approved:
A memorandum of understanding between Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia to establish political consultations.
A protocol for the exchange of preliminary information on goods and vehicles crossing international borders between the Jordanian Customs Department and the Customs Committee of Uzbekistan.
These agreements aim to deepen bilateral ties, expand cooperation and promote the exchange of expertise across various sectors.
Appointments
The Council of Ministers made several key appointments:
Abdul Rahim Al-Wakid, Advisor at the Ministry of Political and Parliamentary Affairs, was appointed Secretary-General of the Senate.
Appointed to the National Cybersecurity Council:
Ismail Saleh Al-Hanti (President of Al Hussein Technical University)
Reem Hamdan (Director General of the Electricity Distribution Company)
Chair of the Board of the Jordanian Information and Communications Technology Association
Appointed to the Board of Commissioners of the Jordan Securities Commission:
Imad Abu Haltam (Chair)
Alaa Al-Din Zoubi
Elias Zureikat
Mohammed Jaradat

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