Bahrain's Crown Prince last night pledged action over issues and violations highlighted in the Financial Audit Bureau report.

This came as His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, chaired a meeting of the executive committee to discuss follow-up measures on the report, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

The committee reviewed a report by the Follow-up Affairs Ministry, which identified cases of non-compliance highlighted by the bureau in order to decide on appropriate steps and measures.

The ministry's report covered 462 cases outlined by the audit report and identified three courses of action:

20 cases of non-compliance to be transferred to the anti-corruption and economic and electronic security general directorate at the Interior Ministry.

38 cases of violations to be transferred to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Legal Affairs, in order to form internal committees for investigation.

404 procedural violations to be transferred to the Follow-up Affairs Ministry to take appropriate action in co-ordination with other government entities.

The 20 cases of non-compliance include eight cases related to the Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Ministry, seven cases related to Alba and one each relating to Bahrain Flour Mills Company, Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution, Bapco, Works Ministry and the Housing Ministry.

These cases will be reviewed by the anti-corruption directorate before being transferred to the Public Prosecutor.

The committee also discussed a timeframe to take action against violations.

The Crown Prince highlighted the progress made so far in identifying violations and acts of misuse of public funds.

He underscored the importance of taking steps to promote transparency and accountability, which are key pillars of His Majesty King Hamad's reform and development programme.

He praised all concerned for working in close co-ordination as per the instructions of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. - TradeArabia News Service