MP questions delay in importation of medical equipment
KIA earnings eyed to cover deficit
KUWAIT CITY, May 4: The parliamentary Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee on Sunday discussed eight bills on organizing judiciary procedures with head of Kuwait Lawyers Society Adnan Abul, says Chairman of the committee MP Khalid Al-Shatti.
Al-Shatti disclosed the meeting focused on the importance of adopting electronic means to notify the concerned individuals about their court appointments. He explained the traditional manner of disseminating such information – by postal mail – negatively affects the rights of many individuals. He said the meeting witnessed different views on the issue; as some argued that not everyone is using electronic means of communication like email and SMS citing as an example the elderly; while others pointed out the children of the elderly can help them.
He added the committee decided to continue its deliberations on Thursday, indicating the committee will invite representatives from the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) and Ministry of Communication to this meeting.
On the other hand, Rapporteur of the committee MP Hammad Al-Dallal revealed the bills are aimed at utilizing modern technology in vital facilities like courts and other judiciary bodies. He said the bills are not limited to informing the concerned individuals about their court appointments, clarifying the objective is to use advanced technology in various judicial procedures including archives and online transactions.
Meanwhile, MP Muhammad Al-Dallal submitted queries to Health Minister Dr Bassel Al-Sabah about the supply of medical equipment. He wants to know if the current stock of medical equipment, especially those needed by coronavirus patients, is enough for the upcoming months.
He also inquired about the reasons behind the delayed importation of required medical equipment, asking if the delay is due to complicated and long procedures.
In addition, MP Farraj Zebn Al-Erbeid forwarded questions to Oil Minister Khalid Al-Fadel on the legal basis for a public institution like Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) to retain its profits. He wants to know when the corporation started retaining its profits, amount of retained profits and interest earned from investing these profits.
He asked if the minister, in his capacity as the official politically responsible for KPC, has the authority to control dealing with the profits and the way of investing them.
Moreover, MP Khalid Al-Otaibi forwarded queries to Finance Minister Barrak Al-Shitan about his observation that many public institutions like Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) and Public Institution for Social Security (PIFSS) put their surplus budget and profits into fixed bank deposits. He wants to know how the ministry deals with the interest of these deposits, especially the subsidiaries of the ministry; interest earned by public institutions from these deposits in the last five years; and if the ministry intends to collect these earnings to cover the budget deficit, instead of borrowing or withdrawing from the Future Generations Fund.