RIYADH : The Shoura Council unanimously approved a motion to allow the Department of Zakat and Income Tax to function as a separate authority, at the council's 37th session presided over by its Chairman Abdullah Al-Asheikh in Riyadh on Sunday.
Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed Al-Ghamdi told reporters on Sunday the decision was taken following discussions after the annual report of the Department of Zakat and Income Tax was presented. At present the department functions under the aegis of the Ministry of Finance.
Al-Ghamdi said that the members felt that such a body should function independently which would help it carry out its functions without bureaucratic delays. The council also suggested that those private sector companies that deal with a capital of more than SR500,000 should be compelled to maintain their book of accounts to show their income and pay their zakat accordingly.
The council requested the Ministry of Water and Electricity to form a separate body to oversee the functions of the bottled-water plants, ice-manufacturing factories and the scheme of distribution of water to individual and corporate clients. "The ministry should ensure that all these plants and factories maintain the required standards of operation and obtain licenses from the government," the members said, pointing out that severe penalties should be imposed on companies that operate without licenses.
The council also suggested that the efforts to develop sports in the Kingdom should be further intensified with coordinated efforts between the Ministry of Education and the General Presidency For Youth Welfare. While encouraging sports among school students, the members also suggested that a mechanism should be devised to spot students with extraordinary sports skills in different fields. The council also said that such students should be identified and given all assistance to improve their skills for the greater good of the country.
In the morning Al-Asheikh received Faisal Muallah, Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh, Turki Al-Madi and Abdurrahman Aba Nami, the Saudi ambassadors-designate to Sudan, the Czech Republic, Argentina and Venezuela respectively. During the meeting, he urged them to work in their respective stations to promote bilateral relations and to uphold the image of the Kingdom.
By MD RASOOLDEEN
© Arab News 2010
