Manama: Bahrain's lower chamber is intensifying pressure on the government to ensure that the talk about an increase in fuel prices does not materialise.
The government has not commented on speculations that the premium petrol prices in Bahrain could go up by 25 per cent in February, and the lawmakers are not sure of how to handle the situation.
However, they have voice opposition of such a move, saying that it would hurt the majority of the people of Bahrain. As the chamber convenes on Tuesday, they now plan to ask three ministers to shed full light on the reports.
"If the ministers think they can hold back the truth until government plans go ahead, then they are wrong because at a certain point everything will be divulged," said MP Abdul Jalil Kjalil, representing Al Wefaq.
"No-one wants to obtain answers the hard way. We most certainly hope that our talks with the ministers is smooth and productive, so that we can together put an end to this critical issue," said Abdul Jalil, who heads the parliamentary financial and economic affairs committee ahead of their meeting with Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Khalifa, the finance minister, Abdul Hussain Mirza, the oil and gas affairs minister and National Oil and Gas Authority chairman, and Essam Khalaf, the works minister.
Al Asala, the Islamic Menbar and Al Wefaq, the three societies with representatives in the lower chamber and the Independent Bloc have voiced strong opposition to the alleged move by the government to increase prices.
"People are worried. We are worried. This issue is depriving citizens of sleep amid concerns it would increase the financial burden on them," said MP Dr Ali Ahmad, the head of Al Menbar bloc.
