3 cooperative societies referred to prosecution over food shortages

MoCI to supervise food matters

KUWAIT CITY, April 14: The job of an administrative supervisor appointed by Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor is limited to supervising administrative issues, while all matters related to food items will be supervised by Ministry of Commerce and Industry, reports Aljarida daily quoting informed sources from Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor.

They said this when commenting on the referral of three cooperative societies to the Public Prosecution by Minister of Commerce and Industry Khaled Al-Roudhan following the discovery of shortages in the quantities of certain commodities while the quantities of some others are in excess.

Meanwhile, the sources revealed that the committees which were formed to review the accounts of some cooperative societies are on the verge of finishing. Their tasks.

They said they are expecting the coming days to witness the launch of legal actions and issuance of disciplinary decisions against the cooperative societies that are confirmed to have violated law No. 118/2013 and relevant decisions as well as those involved in financial and administrative violations.

The sources explained that the ministry will follow some procedures before dissolving the concerned cooperative society’s board of directors or dismissing any of its members. This will involve forming committees to investigate the issue and write reports supported by evidences as well as offer necessary recommendations. The report will then be reviewed by the supreme committee which will confirm the information before referring the report to Minister of Social Affairs and Labor. The minister will then take necessary decisions.

They affirmed that the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor has no enmity with the boards of cooperative societies, but the ministry is seeking to help and guide them in the best possible manner through enforcement of law, adding that this will preserve the financial status of cooperative societies and ensure safety of the shareholders’ money.

Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Fahad Al-Affasi ordered intensive investigation into the Tabligh Jama’at Group issue, the confusion caused by the issuance of a circular banning the entry of the group’s members in Farwaniya mosques and cancellation of the circular one day after its issuance, reports Al-Rai daily quoting a knowledgeable source.

The source explained the controversy arose due to difference in the signatures in the two circulars issued under the name of Farwaniya Mosques Director Salah Al-Shilahi, resulting in embarrassment to the ministry in front of the public considering the silence of officials who refused to disclose the truth.

The source added that the minister suspended the reshuffling of assistant undersecretaries and directors until completion of the investigation.