Manama: Cautious anticipation is gripping Bahrain as the lower chamber is waiting to see whether the three ministers it has called to offer explanations about the possible lifting of fuel subsidies will show up at the parliamentary session on Tuesday.
The chamber last week agreed to call the ministers to hear from them the latest decision of the government on the issue of lifting its subsidies on fuel, a move that will see the price of premium "mumtaz" increase by 20 to 25 per cent.
Lawmakers attributed their move to the clashing reports they read in the papers and to the statements they hear about plans to reduce, lift or keep food subsidies or re-organise them in a way that only Bahrainis or needy Bahrainis benefit from them.
Several political societies said that they would hold fast to keeping the assistance to help needy and poor families and would put pressure on the government to re-consider any possible plans to remove them.
Lawmakers under pressure from the street have threatened to grill any minister who pushed for lifting subsidies.
However, some officials said that the subsidies have turned into a great lucrative advantage for large companies and establishments that were treated like ordinary citizens with limited financial capabilities.
"There has to be a re-drawing of the subsidy plan to make sure that poor or needy people do get the assistance while the richer establishments should have to pay slightly more than the amount they now pay," one official said.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa said that government subsidies would remain and that the share of those who need them will increase.
"Subsidies have always been there, have always been increasing and our responsibility is to ensure they reach the needy," he said. However, he said that some policies should be revised to help achieve that objective.
"Let us remain united in preserving our achievements as our beloved nation needs the contributions of all its citizens" he said.
