Prime Minister chairs regular weekly Cabinet session

Manama, June 8 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa today chaired the regular weekly Cabinet session, attended by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier. Ministries instructed to follow up on issues raised by press, media HRH Premier instructed all ministries and state departments to follow up on media outlets to be well-informed about the citizens’ complaints and remarks, as well as to respond quickly to the raised issues. In this regard, the Prime Minister praised the key role played by the Bahraini press, regarding its objective monitoring of the citizens’ interests and needs, Cabinet Secretary-General, Dr. Yasser bin Isa Al-Nasser, said in a statement following the session which was held via the video conferencing technology. Service ministries requested to follow up on citizens’ needs HRH Premier directed service ministries to follow up on the needs of the citizens in towns and villages regarding basic infrastructure, and to make field visits to collect first-hand information about the local citizens’ demands. In this context, the Prime Minister gave directives to meet the service needs of the western region villages, especially those related to infrastructure. Results of three ministers’ field visits reviewed The cabinet reviewed, upon HRH Premier’s orders, the results of field visits carried out by the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister, Housing Minister and Electricity and Water Affairs Minister to Galali and Samaheej to determine the causes of underground water leaks and surface water pools in the region. The Prime Minister issued directives to immediately address any damages related the infrastructure services delivered to the citizens and residents, and to study the reasons behind them in order to ensure their non-occurrence. The three ministers briefed the session about their findings, and the proposed solutions to address water leaks and pools in the region. Bill on distinctive emblems approved The session approved an edict regulating the use of the Red Crescent emblems and badges in times of peace and armed conflicts to protect civilian and military medical units designated for the treatment and transportation of the wounded, sick and dead in times of peace and armed conflicts. The bill also regulates the use of distinctive emblems and badges by establishments and cultural facilities in times of peace and war. The bill regulating the use of protection emblems, stipulated in the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols, was endorsed, based on a recommendation by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs, and highlighted in a memorandum presented by the Deputy Premier and committee chairman. Parliamentary proposals: · Postponing payment of housing loans installments: The session approved a proposal submitted by the Council of Representatives to suspend the payment of the installments by the beneficiaries of housing loans. The proposal has already been achieved following the issuance of the Cabinet’s resolution on postponing the payment of those installments for six months, starting from April, 2020. The session approved the government’s reply on the proposal, in light of the presentation given by the Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs. · Financial liability in road accidents: The session approved a proposal submitted by the Council of Representatives on not imposing any financial obligations on the insured in the auto accident insurance policy if they do not cause the accident. · EWA bills for late servicemen’s families: The session approved the government’s draft reply on a proposal submitted by the Representatives Council on the electricity and water bills for the late servicemen’s families. · Housing services for families with dead parents: The session approved the draft reply of the government on a proposal submitted by the Representatives Council on applications for housing services by families with dead parents, who have unmarried over-21 sons and no minor brothers. Ministerial reports: · The session was briefed by the Foreign Affairs Minister on the outcomes of the Yemen Donors Conference 2020, which was held recently.