Higher fines could be imposed on street vendors who occupy space without municipal permission.
The Southern Municipal Council backed proposed amendments to the 1996 Public Roads’ Usage Law presented to them for review by Parliament’s public utilities and environment affairs committee.
MPs believe higher fines could be a solution to end the chaotic scenes witnessed across the country of vendors selling their wares on the streets, pavements and in the middle of the road.
These vendors have also hit legal businesses hard as they sell stuff right on the doorsteps of shops, stores and outlets.
Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf has said that municipal inspectors regularly monitor streets, pavements and roads and take necessary action when needed.
“All violations are being removed by us with offenders footing the bill,” said the minister.
“But toughening up fines would ensure a drop in violations.”
The Parliament committee has not yet decided on the fines as the other two councils and the Capital Trustees Board are yet to present their opinions.
The current law stipulates that the fines range between BD20 and BD500, with all violations being removed at the expense of the offenders.
Southern Municipal Council financial, administrative and legislative committee chairman Hizam Al Dossary said the amendments should include a clause offering the offenders a chance to settle dues before being dragged to court.
He has asked MPs to consider taking the settlement concept from the 2019 National Cleanliness Law and merging it with the 25-year-old public roads’ usage law.
Under the 2019 law, the settlement is either a quarter or a third of the fine offenders are slapped with before it goes to court.
During legal proceedings, a settlement of half or two-thirds of the amount could be accepted, for the case to be withdrawn or stopped.
“Setting up businesses randomly on roadsides is uncivilised and does not reflect a clean and tidy image of the country,” said Mr Al Dossary.
“The current fines are low and don’t deter violators from repeating their offences and Parliament’s directive to impose higher penalties is a step in the right direction,” he added.
He said the government should find suitable locations for Bahraini street sellers to operate.
“There should be suitable authorised locations for Bahraini street sellers to showcase and sell their merchandise and goods, and they should be charged low annual municipal fees.
“Protecting their livelihood is also our responsibility.”
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
© Copyright 2020 www.gdnonline.com
(Image: gdnimages/20210509\2021050900485620200214081726unnamed(6).jpg)
HIGHER fines could be imposed on street vendors who occupy space without municipal permission.
The Southern Municipal Council backed proposed amendments to the 1996 Public Roads’ Usage Law presented to them for review by Parliament’s public utilities and environment affairs committee.
MPs believe higher fines could be a solution to end the chaotic scenes witnessed across the country of vendors selling their wares on the streets, pavements and in the middle of the road.
These vendors have also hit legal businesses hard as they sell stuff right on the doorsteps of shops, stores and outlets.
Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf has said that municipal inspectors regularly monitor streets, pavements and roads and take necessary action when needed.
“All violations are being removed by us with offenders footing the bill,” said the minister.
“But toughening up fines would ensure a drop in violations.”
The Parliament committee has not yet decided on the fines as the other two councils and the Capital Trustees Board are yet to present their opinions.
The current law stipulates that the fines range between BD20 and BD500, with all violations being removed at the expense of the offenders.
Southern Municipal Council financial, administrative and legislative committee chairman Hizam Al Dossary said the amendments should include a clause offering the offenders a chance to settle dues before being dragged to court.
He has asked MPs to consider taking the settlement concept from the 2019 National Cleanliness Law and merging it with the 25-year-old public roads’ usage law.
Under the 2019 law, the settlement is either a quarter or a third of the fine offenders are slapped with before it goes to court.
During legal proceedings, a settlement of half or two-thirds of the amount could be accepted, for the case to be withdrawn or stopped.
“Setting up businesses randomly on roadsides is uncivilised and does not reflect a clean and tidy image of the country,” said Mr Al Dossary.
“The current fines are low and don’t deter violators from repeating their offences and Parliament’s directive to impose higher penalties is a step in the right direction,” he added.
He said the government should find suitable locations for Bahraini street sellers to operate.
“There should be suitable authorised locations for Bahraini street sellers to showcase and sell their merchandise and goods, and they should be charged low annual municipal fees.
“Protecting their livelihood is also our responsibility.”
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
© Copyright 2020 www.gdnonline.com
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