Special needs drivers get licence discounts

Dubai: People with special needs will pay only half the cost of licences, permits or services at driving institutes, under an order issued by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.

Order No 1 of 2012 replaces the bylaws of Article No 11 of Order No 6 of 2009 and stipulates that: "The Licensing Department of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority will specify the fees for licences, permits and other services as per the fees listed in Table No 1. People with special needs will only pay half the price for any licences or services they apply for as per the bylaws of the issued order."

Publication

The order is to be published in the official gazette and comes into effect from the date of its issuance.

Shaikh Hamdan also issued Resolution No 7 of 2012 approving the organisational structure of Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services and specifying the responsibilities and duties of the corporation's chairman.

Shaikh Hamdan also issued Resolution No 14 of 2012 setting up Dubai's Higher Committee for Maritime Affairs. As per the resolution, the committee will be formed as part of the Dubai Executive Council, and will be chaired by Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan, Dubai Police Chief.

The committee will be responsible for following up on the activities of the emirate's governmental departments that are tasked with supervising maritime activities.

Maritime strategy

The committee will also supervise all maritime activities and discuss and study any matter related to maritime affairs in Dubai. The committee will specialise in reviewing maritime navigation policies and submit them to the Dubai Executive Council for approval. It will also be tasked with reviewing plans and programmes pertaining to the implementation of the emirate's maritime strategic goals and general policies.

Members of the new committee will include the RTA chairman, director general of Dubai Municipality, director general of the Customs Department, director general of Dubai government's Legal Affairs Department, executive director of Dubai Maritime City Authority, and a representative from Dubai Police.

Shaikh Hamdan also issued a resolution approving the organisational structure of the Department of Finance. The resolution states that the department's director general will have the right to approve the specific organisational structure of the department, and merge and cancel any regulatory bodies that fall under the department.