Page 73 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (III)_Neat

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BUDGET-1362.
The total revenue of the State in 1361 was Rs. 39,81.000 of which Rs. 26,21,000 came from
oil royalties. For the year 1362 the revenue has been estimated at 36} lakhs of which 26 lakhs is to
be obtained from oil royalty. Receipts from customs, including pearling licenses, are estimated at
Rs. 6,10,000 which is about 2\ lakhs less than the amount collected in the previous year. Owing to
the decline of trade it cannot be assumed that customs collections will amount to as much as they did
last year. Revenue from all other sources, amounting to about 4 V lakhs, is expected to produce
approximately the same sum as in 1361.
The expenditure in 1361 apart from three abnormal items, cost of food supplies and refunds
to the Electric account and the two municipalities, amounted to Rs. 30,17,000. In the Budget for
1362 the total expenditure has been estimated at Rs. 36,57,000. This includes the sum of Rs. 6,16,000
which is to be added to the Reserve Fund. The value of food supplies held by the Government at
the end of the year was Rs. 7,73,000. This has been shown as a suspense account. It is probable
that these funds will be required during 1362 for purchasing further supplies of food but should this
not be necessary this sum will be added to the Reserve Fund together with any surplus revenue that
is available.
There are no unusual items on the expenditure side but owing to the increased prices of goods
and the high cost of living the expenditure on administration is generally higher than it was last year.

The increase of Rs. 14,000 in cost of Customs and Food Control is due to the expense of main­
taining a large staff of clerks, salaried shopkeepers in Government shops and transport of food supplies I
which became necessary owing to the development of rationing and Government owned or controlled
shops throughout Bahrain.
The expenditure on medical services is expected to be less mainly because the hospitals have
in stock a sufficient supply of drugs to last throughout the year.
Defence and Protection are expected to cost almost one lakh more than in 1361, allowance has
been made for purchase of over a year’s supply of uniforms and equipment from the British Army
for which Rs. 65,000 has been allocated. Owing to the impossibility of obtaining suitable uniforms
or material during the last twelve months the Polico towards the end of the year were in a condition ;
of extreme raggedness.
In the 1361 Budget Rs. 11,000 was allowed for public relief measures, over Rs. 31,000 was
actually spent. In 1362 the sum of Rs. 35,000 has been set aside for this purpose and this will be
supplemented by the contributions which are made by the two municipalities from their own funds.
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Public Works include the building of a new and larger jail at Jidda and some minor works at
the Fort and in the hospital compound. As the Public Works staff is almost entirely occupied with
military work it is doubtful whether all the proposed Government work will be carried out during
the year.
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