KUWAIT: MPs take part in a parliament session at the National Assembly in Kuwait City yesterday. —Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister of Finance and Acting Minister of Oil Anas Al-Saleh said yesterday that there were no violations regarding the selling of companies of Agricultural Food Products Company (K.S.C) and Kuwait Motoring Company (K.M.C.). In response to MPs' questions during a National Assembly session yesterday, the minister explained that he personally checked all the selling documents and did not find any violations, "except for some remarks that have been refuted by the Public Investment Authority."

Saleh also presented to the parliamentary committee for Protection of Public Funds all the needed documents concerning sales of government-owned companies. The companies will not change their activities after the selling deals, he affirmed.

Defective roads

Meanwhile, Minister of Public Works Ali Al-Omair vowed to punish those responsible for defective roads namely recurring accidents caused by flying pebbles. During the same session, Omari, also Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs, affirmed that his ministry is following up with concern on recurrence of such accidents, emphasizing that any civil servant or official who has not done his job properly in this respect will be punished.

The minister said his predecessors had referred the issue of such recurring accidents, flying pebbles on the streets, to the Public Prosecution. He explained that the former ministers had reported about contractors and companies that had failed to abide by standing standards for asphalting the roads.

This issue is currently under examination by the prosecution, he said, affirming that not a shred of information would be concealed in this respect. All required documents are in possession of the ministry, which is also under examination of the National Assembly, the minister said, expressing readiness to take part in sessions of the relevant parliamentary committees for cooperation on such issues.

Scholarships irregularities

In another topic, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Dr Bader Al-Essa said that there have been some irregularities concerning Masters' Degree scholarships given to students at an educational institution, adding that "the issue has been referred to the judiciary."

Essa made the statement in response to an MP's question during the session, pertaining to "Masters' Degree scholarships given to ineligible students at the Institute of Public Authority for Applied Education and Training." "The issue is currently being investigated and will be sorted out in due time," Essa said. "Since the issue has been referred to the judiciary, we have no right to discuss or investigate it."

Enclosed cabin

In the meantime, Minister of State for Municipal Affairs and Minister of Communications Essa Ahmad Al-Kandari affirmed yesterday that he had issued instructions for immediate implementation to the Municipality to raid cafes with enclosed cabins, namely those suspected of curtaining indecent acts.

Responding to MPs' queries, Minister Essa said that the cabins in the cafes are legal and have been established according to municipality regulations. "However, misuse of this license will be strictly dealt with," he said, warning that cafes with enclosed chambers where indecent or immoral acts are practiced will face strict punishment. He stressed that "the Municipality had already raided these cafes since the beginning of this phenomenon," adding that he would continue to follow up on this issue.

Special needs

The National Assembly yesterday approved proposals to revise some provisions of Law No. 8/2010 on the rights of people with special needs during the first and second deliberation, and, then, forwarded it to the government.

The first article states: "A person with special needs is the one who suffers from permanent total or partial disorders that lead to physical, mental or sensory abilities which may prevent him or her from securing life needs or participating effectively in society."

The ninth article of the law says that "the government is committed to providing educational services for people with disabilities, including those who have learning difficulties. The rights and needs of people with disabilities should be taken into account in all tests and interviews conducted by government or civil agencies, according to the same article.

The 10th article urges the government to take all the administrative and organizational effective arrangements required to integrate handicapped people, including slow learners and learning difficulties in different educational levels within the educational and rehabilitation courses.

Sports facilities

Also yesterday, Minister of Information, Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah said the government is very much keen on building as many installations as possible for youth activities and sports exercises in southern regions.

Reacting to remarks by an MP during yesterday's session, the minister alluded in particular to recent proclamation of Burgan Club in Ali Sabah Al-Salem district. The government is very much concerned and willing to build sports stadiums for the youth in various regions of the country, he said, also indicating at current coordination with the Ministry of Housing to establish a large sports stadium in Sabah Al-Ahmad district. - KUNA