MPs have sent a strong warning to the government to stop what they described as 'disastrous' plans to increase the price of 'Mumtaz' fuel in Bahrain by 20 per cent.

Parliamentary blocs Al Wefaq, Al Asala and Al Menbar, with a total of 23 out of 40 MPs, yesterday decided to give the government a few days to explain itself before they take undisclosed action.

Our sister newspaper Gulf Daily News (GDN) reported last week that the proposal, which is now being discussed in government circles, could take effect within the next few weeks.

An anonymous oil official told the GDN then that the price of the 95 octane Mumtaz may increase from 100 fils to 120 fils per litre, while the price of the 91 octane Jayyid fuel will remain at 80 fils.

He said there were plans to enhance the quality of Jayyid fuel and make it more combustible with less wax and carbon deposits on engines.

MPs representing the blocs said at an urgent Press conference at parliament headquarters in Gudaibiya that the government was crossing the line and harming people's income instead of helping to increase it.

Parliament's public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman and Al Wefaq bloc second deputy president Jawad Fairooz said people were expecting increases in wages and pensions to cope with today's harsh living conditions.

'We were expecting the government to increase people's income through more wages and pensions, but every day we turn around to see that they are placing more burden on people,' he said.

'MPs are here to represent the people and the government should consider us as partners in decision-making, not the last to be informed when it plans everything and is ready to go ahead with it.'

Al Asala bloc co-ordinator MP Abdulhaleem Murad said the government was pushing hard to remove subsidies without substantial support to people's income to counter it.

'The government tried last year to remove subsidies, but they failed after we all stood as one against their moves,' he said.

'This time they have plans to stop subsidising Mumtaz and we fear that the worst may come sooner than expected with people getting basic food staples without subsidies.'

Al Menbar bloc co-ordinator MP Mohammed Al Ammadi said disastrous decisions were not helping bring stability to Bahrain's homes, instead it was leading the country into chaos.

'People will not allow this and we here, as representatives of the people, won't allow it. For the government to pass this, it will have to go through us,' he said. 'We will accept an increase if it comes after a study or package, but in this manner I think that people are being made fools of, with them being the last to know.'

Parliamentary blocs will urgently meet today to draw up plans on how to stop the government's planned increase.-TradeArabia News Service