RIYADH — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has completed 100 days on the throne. He took over following the death of his late brother King Abdullah on Jan. 23, 2015. In this period, King Salman chaired 14 sessions of the Council of Ministers during which he has developed a comprehensive roadmap to serve citizens and the homeland. Saudi Gazette is shedding light on the unprecedented achievements made in such a short time. During the 14 Cabinet meetings the King has chaired, a number of important resolutions were issued in favor of the country and its people. Rules and regulations governing the work of some government departments have been amended to respond quickly to the needs and requirements of the citizens. These were coupled with a number of royal decrees appointing ministers and high-ranking officials. In the first Cabinet meeting he chaired in his capacity as monarch on Feb. 2, some articles in the statute of the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution (BIP) were amended to give this important legal body more flexibility to work and deliver.
In the same session, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) was empowered to license the buildings specified to accommodate Umrah and Haj pilgrims with a view to ensuring them with complete comfort and enabling them perform their rituals in ease, safety and security. During the session, approval was given to the Finance Ministry to extend loans to tourist and hotel projects under certain conditions, including that these projects are to be implemented in the least developed areas. In its second session on Feb. 9, the Cabinet approved the procedures of issuing visas to butchers and their assistants for the Kingdom's Sacrificial Meat Project being implemented by the Islamic Development Bank during the Haj season every year. The session approved the organization of the Council of Political and Security Affairs, which will review the strategies and the political and security plans needed for their execution. The council will also follow the implementation of these policies. The Cabinet also approved the regulations of the Council of Economic Affairs and Development. The council will review the strategies and the economic and development plans. Together, the two organizations have replaced 12 bodies and taken over their powers. In its session on Feb. 16, the Cabinet decided to use the terminology armed forces instead of military forces. It also changed the title of “supreme commander of the military forces” to be the “supreme commander of the armed forces”. Arrangements concerning the Finance Ministry In a session on Mar. 23, the Council of Ministers approved the empowerment of the Finance Ministry to undertake the duties for which it has been established. It has also rearranged a number of organizations and funds under its aegis. For instance, the Saudi Credit and Savings Bank has been affiliated to the Ministry of Social Affairs. Fees on undeveloped plots of land The Cabinet approved a recombination of the Council of the Economic Affairs and Development to levy taxes on undeveloped plots commonly known as white land. Labor laws The Cabinet approved a number of changes in the labor laws with a view to empowering the labor minister to take all necessary measures to improve the labor market and regulate the movement of manpower. The ministry was authorized not to renew labor licenses whenever an employer is found to have violated its rules and regulations. Military service In its session on April 6, the Cabinet approved the restructuring of the Council of Military Service to be under the chairmanship of the King. The deputy premier will be the council's deputy chairman. The council will also include the ministers of the National Guard, interior, defense and finance as well as the head of general intelligence, chief of the royal guard and three other members to be appointed by royal decree. Project contracts In its session on Apr. 13, the Cabinet decided projects or government purchases costing SR100 million or more should be forwarded to the King for approval. Lawyers' authority In its session on April 27, the Cabinet approved the establishment of an authority for Saudi lawyers under the Justice Ministry.
