Doha: The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs H E Ahmad bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud yesterday presided over the Cabinet’s regular weekly meeting at the Emiri Diwan.
Later, Al Mahmoud announced the decisions taken at the meeting, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.
The Cabinet reviewed issues on the agenda and took note of the Minister of State for Interior Affairs concerning the annual report of the permanent committee on drugs and narcotics.
The report includes strategies to reduce supplies and treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts, and clarifies data in the report.
The Cabinet praised efforts of the committee and the concerned bodies to implement the second phase of a national strategy to combat drugs.
The weekly session approved a draft decision of the Minister of Environment on terms and measures of exploiting soft sand and soil excavated from drilling by state enterprises.
The decision sets conditions and controls of licences for exploiting such sand and soil for agriculture, industrial and construction purposes.
The Cabinet reviewed the following and took appropriate decisions:
A draft law amending some provisions of Law No. 2 of 2004 on people with special needs and a Cabinet draft law concerning some rights of people with special needs. It provides for care of people with special needs and securing their rights, including exempting them from taxes and fees for rehabilitation, medical care, education, technical and compensatory devices and means of transport set for their use.
According to the draft decision, the concerned agencies in Qatar are required to take measures to enable people with disabilities to access education, rehabilitation, medical care, and preventive, rehabilitative, cultural and sports services and take advantage of employment opportunities.
It also aims to provide adequate housing for people with disabilities and give them access to public and private facilities to enjoy all services available in society.
The Cabinet reviewed a memo by the Institute of Administrative Development (IAD) concerning the annual report 2011-2012 on its key accomplishments and activities.
According to the report, the IAD provided 313 training programmes, attended by 6,916 employees, including 6,381 citizens and 535 expatriates. The IAD also provided consultancy to various government agencies.
The Cabinet took note of a letter from the Minister of Business and Trade concerning a budget for participation in the Expo 2015 in Milan and a draft ministerial decision naming members of the ad hoc committee to prepare for the event.
The Cabinet also approved the signing of a protocol on stamping out illegal trade in tobacco products and a draft memorandum of understanding on cooperation and protection of the environment between Qatar and Oman.
The Peninsula
