Muscat: The Majlis Al Shura will not support the government’s drive to lift fuel subsidies in Oman.
Salim Al Hakmani, head of the financial and economic committee, recently said that the Majlis Al Shura stood firm on its decision. Shura members said that if subsidies were lifted, the government should pay half of the amount which ranges between 700 (Dh6,677 million) to 800 million rials (Dh7,631 million), to support needy Omani families. The demand came after Darwish Bin Esmail Al Balushi, Minister of Financial Affairs said that the government planned to reconsider domestic fuel prices.
The government subsidised fuel in 2012 to the tune of one billion rials. Al Balushi said that prices has more than doubled since the 1980s. As a result, diesel smuggling has become a matter of serious concern for the government, Al Balushi added. He also noted that the government should create a more efficient public transport system to confront the challenges, which would be especially useful for lower-income families
Mohammad Al Busaid, also a Shura member said the government should give alternatives before unilaterally lifting fuel subsidies. Sharifa Al Baraami, an Omani businesswoman told Gulf News that banks, automobile and insurance companies would suffer from a fuel subsidy cut. She also said that Oman needs a better public transport system.
“Those who live in other governorates and commute to Muscat for work every day will see their spending rise dramatically,” Haider Al Lawati, a Shura member told Gulf News.
— Saif Said is a journalist based in Muscat
