The Government pledged to control prices of food products and ensure sufficient supplies of basic commodities during the holy month of Ramadan. "The directorate of consumer protection, an affiliate of the Industry and Commerce Ministry, is assuming its role in monitoring prices", Minister of State for Information Affairs and Government's Official Spokesperson Sameera Ebrahim bin Rajab said.
Speaking in a press briefing following the weekly cabinet meeting, she urged the press and citizens to report any irregularities to the directorate along with evidence corroborating the violations. She pointed out that the law would be enforced on anyone who exploits the freedom of expression to fuel sectarianism, drive wedges or subvert national unity.
"The law applies to everyone", the minister said, stressing the need to differentiate between mainstream media and social media. "We enforce the law on information on media affairs while social media are governed by other legislations", she added.
Regarding the directives issued by His Royal Highness the Premier to reconstruct Muharraq Central Market, the minister said that the current suq is in dire need to be rebuilt so as to provide wide-ranging services. Regarding the draft traffic law which is suspected of being unconstitutional, the minister said the proposed legislation would then be referred to the Constitutional Court to be scrutinized before its ratification.
She unveiled an ambitious plan to develop the old Muharraq Town as part of efforts to preserve the identity of the iconic city, pointing out that the proposed urban scheme is still under study. She added that the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Municipalities and Urban Planning had surveyed heritage buildings in Muharraq and other areas of Bahrain.