The cabinet voiced deep regret over the tragic fire which gutted a residential building dwelt by bachelor labourers, killing thirteen and injuring nine others. It extended condolences to the victims’ families and reviewed measures taken for the injured.
He directed the committee chaired by the Interior Minister to follow up on completion of those legislations and their executive mechanisms so as to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
HRH also instructed to expedite setting up temporary accommodation centers for affected workers from any potential future incident.
The cabinet reviewed a report by Interior Minister Lieutenant General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa on the afore-mentioned blaze and got updated on procedures taken by the Health Ministry in dealing with the incident through a report submitted by Health Minister Sadaq bin Abdul Karim Al Shehabi.
He extended congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on being voted the humanitarian personality of the year, in a referendum conducted by Kuwaiti Al-Sharq newspaper.
He described the honour as a tribute to the humanitarian and development initiatives adopted by HM the King as well as the civilizational achievements brought about in his prosperous era.
The council reviewed the government’s efforts to ensure commodities and foodstuff reach citizens at reasonable prices. It got informed about an increase in the government’s subsidization of meat, chicken and flour.
A report submitted by the Industry and Commerce Minister showed a rise in subsidies from BD 56 million in 2011 to BD67 million earmarked equally for 2013 and 2014.
The cabinet tasked the Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry to conduct a study on subsidizing cattle raisers and local farms and submit a vision in this regard.
The council discussed a draft law on psychological health and decided to refer a memorandum submitted by the Health Minister in this regard to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs for further study.
Out of the Kingdom’s keenness to project its honourable record in the human rights field, the cabinet approved setting up a delegation headed by the Human Rights Minister to attend a debate on February 18 and 19 of Bahrain’s first report on the Arab Charter on Human Rights which was approved by the Arab League in its 16th summit.
The council also discussed Bahrain’s hosting of a regional office of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) through a memorandum submitted by the Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister. It decided to refer the memo to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs.
Following proposals by the Representatives Council, the cabinet approved setting up a commercial complex in Hamad Town, allocating part of its revenues to poor families, widows, divorcees and orphans.
It also gave the green light for the construction of a primary girl’s school in Busaiteen, in Muharraq.
It tasked the Interior Ministry and the Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry to study the problem of small and big trucks parking in residential areas, mainly archaeological and heritage sites in Muharraq.
It also approved a proposal to strengthen the foundations of residential units provided by the government to allow building of additional storeys.
The cabinet also endorsed a proposal on raising social awareness of the need to use the seat-belt by all passengers and cars child seats.
The council also approved proposals to develop the work mechanism of the Public Safety Committee and activate its role and provide psychological support for people who were affected by the crisis in Bahrain.
The cabinet approved in principle the Shura and Representatives Councils’ decisions regarding a draft law to open an additional fund in the public budget of 2012.