Bid to streamline disputes

KUWAIT CITY, May 23: MP Osama Al-Menawer has submitted a bill on amending Real Estate Rent Law No. 35/1978 in a bid to fill the legislative gap, particularly the absence of stipulation on the search and arrest order; thereby, increasing arrears especially among expatriates who are delayed in the payment of rent in addition to the late issuance of eviction decisions. The bill revises the second clause of Article 24 to read as follows: “The First Instance Court shall handle eviction cases due to non-payment of rent.”

According to the bill, the court shall issue its decision within 30 days maximum and the ruling cannot be appealed. The court shall handle eviction cases in which the arrears are less than KD500 and its decision must be executed. The chairman of the court has the power to authorize the Criminal Investigations General Department to issue the eviction order and collect the unpaid rent. The decision should be issued by a public prosecutor or higher.

The chairman of the court and director of the Criminal Investigations General Department will specify the section in every governorate to deliberate and issue a decision on the case. MP Khalil Al-Saleh has proposed the establishment of an autonomous entity for food security to centralize and expedite procedures; including the prompt presentation of a national food security strategy, allocation of budget, ensure the availability of basic food products, encourage investment in food security, and support researches in this field.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the parliamentary Education, Culture and Guidance Affairs Committee MP Hamad Al-Matar disclosed the committee will discuss preparations for academic year 2022/2023 with senior officials at Ministry of Education in its next meeting. He revealed the preparations include the maintenance or supply of air conditioning units, cleaning workers, textbooks, staff and others. He said the ministry will be given a grace period of four months to complete the preparations; otherwise, a grilling motion will be submitted against the incoming education minister. By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Arab Times Staff