Subsidies item in budget 2018/19 sees rise: report
Exemption from biometric attendance eyed
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 18: The subsidies item in the budget for fiscal 2018/2019 increased to KD 3.4 billion which is KD 378 million higher than the current fiscal year, reports Al-Rai daily quoting sources.
Sources disclosed the subsidies item in next financial year’s budget is divided into nine categories, indicating the amount allocated for six categories decreased while that of the remaining three increased.
Sources said the amount allocated for students on external scholarship increased from KD 120 million to KD 245 million, the amount for internal scholarship increased to KD 377.8 million, KD 92.6 million for the allowance of students in the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), KD 155 million for the handicapped students in private schools and support devices, and KD 195 million for refined products and liquefied gas.
On the other hand, the allocation for Kuwait University students decreased to KD 76 million, KD 40 million for commodities and construction materials, and KD 16.5 million for marriage grants.
Meanwhile, the State Ministry for Services Affairs intends to ask the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to exempt a number of employees with technical specializations from the fingerprint attendance system, reports Al-Anba daily quoting a reliable source.
Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on Sunday met with former Canadian foreign minister John Baird. The meeting was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah, Assistant Foreign Minister for the Deputy Foreign Minister’s Office Affairs Ambassador Ayham Al-Omar, Deputy Assistant Foreign Minister for the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister’s Office Affairs Ambassador Saleh
Al-Lughani and several other senior officials of the Foreign Ministry. (KUNA)
Exempted
According to the source, about 160 technicians, security and safety staff who work in shifts will be exempted if the CSC approves the request.
The source said the ministry will soon submit the list of employees covered by the decision to the CSC for approval.
And, Minister of Justice, Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Dr Fahd Al-Affasi signed the new mosque pact which consists of bylaws on the penalties and regulations concerning the work of Imams, muezzins and preachers; as well as their functional commitments, reports Al-Anba daily quoting sources.
Sources disclosed the penalties include warning, suspension and termination.
Sources said the pact also stipulates rights of Imams and responsibilities of the ministry towards them.