Muscat: Those who receive social support payments in Oman are to be given two Royal grants, by order of Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed.
The Sultan has issued the grants as part of Oman’s 40th National Day celebrations.
The Oman News Agency reported that the first grant would involve a double monthly pension payment three times a year, from now on. This effectively grants recipients 15 pension payments a year instead of 12.
The double payments would be made in the Holy Month of Ramadan, during Eid Al Fitr, and during Eid Al Adha.
The second grant exempted those who were beneficiaries of "livelihood project" loans from making their remaining repayments.
Social Development Minister Dr Sharifa Bint Khalfan Al Yahya’eeya, said the second grant would benefit 315 families who receive social insurance, and the disabled, who had obtained loans to set up a business.
The minister called on those who had been relieved of their remaining loan payments to double their efforts to develop their businesses.
She said the ministry would help them achieve this.
Dr Sharifa expressed her deep gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos for the Royal grants to provide families with social insurance.
