Page 136 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (III)_Neat

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BUDGET-1363.
EXPENDITURE. The estimate for expenditure for the budget year exceeds 35 lacs and is higher
than any other year in the history of the State. It exceeds the actual expenditure in the previous
year by 2 lacs. Out of the 35 lacs the allowances to the Ruling Family absorb 13 lacs which is more
than one third of the whole estimated expenditure. The Budget Surplus is estimated at Rs. 4.70.000,
but as the revenue has been based on very conservative lines and more than sufficient has been provided
for most of the items of expenditure it may reasonably be hoped that the Surplus will be more than the
sum which is shown in the budget. Almost the whole of the expenditure consists of salaries which
for the most part are paid to Bahrain subjects living in the country. In past years the expenditure
included the provision of large sums for purchases from abroad such as building materials, motor
vehicles and for the construction of Shaikh Hamad Bridge. This money went out of the country
but the expenditure in the 1363 budget is almost entirely local.
The expenditure on State Departments is estimated at Rs. 4,50,000 which is I lac more than
the actuals of the previous year. Customs expenditure in 1362 was abnormally high as it included
certain payments on account of leave, etc., made to the retiring Director of Customs. The cost of
the Food Control Department has been shown this year as a separate item, it has expanded considerably
since last year owing to the building and opening of new' Government shops. In several Departments
provision has been made for a full complement of staff which does not at present exist and it is doubtful
if the vacancies will be filled during the Budget year. The increased rate of war allowances, which
was introduced in the latter part of 1362, higher wages and the normal annual increments have
all contributed to the greater cost of administration.
The provision of Education exceeds last year’s expenditure by over one lac. In all schools,
except the Technical School, the number of teachers has increased and one large new school was opened.
War Allowances at the present rale were not paid throughout the year 1362 but have been provided
for during the whole of 1363. A sum of Rs. 28,000 is allocated for higher education and expansion,
this includes fees for boys who may be sent to study abroad during the next school term, provision
for two new Kindergarten schools and some additional more qualified teachers for the existing schools.
Out of the Rs. 60,000, which is provided for the Technical School Rs. 8,000 is the cost of material which
is expected to be recovered by the sale of work.

The increased expenditure on Public Health is to a certain extent offset by the anticipated
revenue of Rs. 65,000 which is expected to be received in fees. The higher cost is due to the high
prices of stores and equipment, war allowances, increments and the cost of food.

Defence and Protection now costs the State almost 6$ lacs. It has risen steadily since the
beginning of the war and is likely to increase. The sum in the budget allows for the scales of pay
existing at the end of the year 1362 and no provision has been made for any further increases which
may become necessary during 1363. Only Rs. 20,000 has been provided for uniforms and equipment
as in 1362 a quantity of new material was purchased by the State. The Special Police, who are paid
for entirely by the State, are employed solely on protective duties at the Refinery and oil fields. This
expensive responsibility was undertaken by the State when the military authorities decided that it
was necessary to employ a Special Police Force to prevent sabotage, etc. Towards the end of 1362
the Police were given a war allowance. Earlier in the year they were granted a concession by which
instead of paying for certain items of their uniform from their uniform allowance all uniform was
issued and replaced freely and the men were allowed to retain their clothing allowance for themselves.
The Special Police were also provided with tickets entitling them to free transport once weekly between
Manama and their camp. The cost to the State of the pay and rations of a policeman is now Rs. 51
per month which docs not include clothing, housing, etc. The Police receive rations on a generous
scale, including rice, and the quantity of cereals per head per month is more than double the quantity
of the cereals which is issued to the public.
Most of the other items of expenditure in the budget are self explanatory. Out of the sum
which is provided for Poor Relief the Government distributes a small quantity of dates to many