Page 413 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (II)_Neat
P. 413

53

                                   BUDGET, 1361.
                                      Revenue.
            It is anticipated that the total revenue of the State during 13d will amount to 37 lakhs of
       rupees. This is Rs. 1,36.000 more than was expected in the budget of the previous year but
       Rs. 6,35,000 less than the revenue actually collected in 1360.
            On the revenue side the oil royalty has been assessed at 26 lakhs. The royalty is paid twice
       yearly, the amount due for the first six months is paid at end of March and the amount due for the
       second six months is paid at the end of September. The payment which is due over the period from
       June to December 1941 is known and during the second half year I have assumed that production
       will be maintained by the Bahrain Petroleum Company at the rate of 18,000 barrels daily. This
       rate of production represents an increase over the rate of production during the last quarter but I
       have reason to believe that it will be maintained.
           Customs receipts, the second largest source of revenue, have been estimated at 7 lakhs which
       is Rs. 83,000 less than the amount collected in 1360. This heading includes pearling and boat licenses.
       Transport difficulties, soaring prices and the spread of war to the Far East make it difficult to assess
       the value of goods which will be imported into Bahrain during the year. Boat and pearling licenses
       depend mainly upon the state of the pearl industry and though the 1360 season was a successful one
       the position of industry as a whole is not encouraging.
           Passport and Judicial receipts showed a falling off last year, owing to the war fewer people
       travel and civil litigation which used to produce large court fees has degenerated to petty'cases.
           Revenue from vehicle taxes, land income and rents, oil gauging fees and education is approxi­
       mately the same as in the last budget. Education revenue includes the British Council's grant of
      £500 per annum towards the salary of a Director of Education as well as school fees and profits from
      work done in the Technical School.
           Revenue from bridge tolls is estimated at Rs. 30,000 per annum according to a census of traffic
      which was taken during 1360. The way in which this amount is calculated is shown in a separate
      note.
           Medical fees have been shown separately, this item consists of amounts received from paying
      patients and for certain special treatments.
                                  EXPENDITURE.

           Allowances to Ruling Family. Rs. 4,25,000. The Civil List is approximately Rs. 15,000
      less than the sum allocated in last year’s budget. Previously the salary of His Highness's Factor,
      who was paid from government funds, was included in the Civil List. This official has been dispensed
      with. Several special allowances to members of the Ruling Family for looking after wells, etc., which
      were also in the Civil List, have been distributed under other budget headings.
           Administration. Rs. 3,34,000. The total cost of Administrative Services is estimated at
      Rs. 4,000 less than in the previous year but a considerable margin has been allowed to cover any
      unforeseen additions to staff.
           Education. Rs. 2,40,000. Expenditure on education has increased considerably. Last year
      Rs. 1,32,000 was provided for education and the actual expenditure was Rs. 1,56,000.
           The largest increase is in the cost of technical education for which Rs. 90,000 has been allotted.
      This sum provides for the immediate purchase of Rs. 25,000 worth of tools and equipment and a pos­
      sible further order amounting to Rs. 10,000 during the year. Provision is also made for some addi­
      tional building work and furniture for the new enlarged school estimated at about Rs. 10,000.
           Boys’ schools, including the Secondary School and the Hostel and the Religious School which
      is run by Shaikh Abdul Hussein, the Shia Appeal Qadi, cost approximately Rs. 1,02,000.   Provision
      has been made for some additions to the staff and also the service of a school doctor to work entirely
      among the schools.
   408   409   410   411   412   413   414   415   416