Kuwaiti MP: Constitution not against grilling

MP Khalil Abdullah on Tuesday highlighted the need for the State Ministry of Planning and Development Affairs to develop an action plan soon after its formation as per the provisions of the constitution. Responding to the remarks of Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs and Minister of State for Planning and Development Dr. Rola Dashti during the interpellation at the National Assembly, he said the minister misunderstood Article 98 of the Constitution and there is nothing in the constitution against a grilling of a minister. MP Abdullah rejected as "unacceptable" Dr. Dashti's statement that there is no difference between the government development plan and the action plan of her ministry, saying: "The ministry has just presented an action plan. "The Supreme Council for Planning and Development (SCPD) is bound to table regular reports to the National Assembly on annual and semi-annual bases," he told the MPs. He also objected to the minister's statement that the SCPD reports could be followed up through the council's website, saying that the law provides that the reports be sent to the Assembly in an official regular way. Defending his request for grilling the minister, MP Abdullah wondered: "How could you expect me not to press for a move which is more than eight months late?"