Minister faces criticism from citizens for rescinding decision on masks cost

‘Price control an absolute necessity’

KUWAIT CITY, April 30: Despite the remarkable work of Commerce and Industry Minister Khaled Al-Roudhan in addressing the corona crisis, he received harsh criticisms from citizens when he rescinded the resolution on fixing the price of face masks, reports Al-Qabas daily.

Once again, facts proved that governmental decisions taken under populist pressure are rushed and not based on scientific foundations. Any authority that takes such a decision is forced to retract it after a short time; thereby, exposing them to popular attacks.

Under pressure at the beginning of the corona crisis, Al-Roudan rushed to fix the price of face masks. His action was widely welcomed and he was praised for his firm decision.

Observers told the daily that price control is an absolute necessity in this crisis, but it should be considered in the long term, especially in exceptional circumstances.

The price of face masks fixed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry was the price announced before the crisis -- before the masks became a very rare and the most important global commodity, and before the prices of clothes and raw materials used in manufacturing masks increased.

Sources pointed out it is surprising that the government seems unaware that the demand for masks and the price of this commodity would increase dramatically, so the ministry became a major political embarrassment when it reconsidered its popular decision and raised the price of masks from 100 fils to 150 fils each (50 percent increase).