AMMAN — As part of its discussions over the draft 2014 State Budget, the Finance Committee of the Lower House on Monday discussed allocations for the Royal Court for the first time ever.
Senior officials from the Royal Court attended a meeting of the committee, presenting their case as to the funds the Royal Court needs to spend on its functions this year.
Head of the Finance Committee Mohammed Saudi prevented reporters from attending the meeting, although the committee’s meetings are open for the media most of the time, triggering criticism, especially since the unprecedented move was seen as a sign of more transparency, reflecting a major goal of the reform process.
According to the draft 2014 State Budget as presented by the government, the Royal Court’s budget is set at JD35.7 million this year, including JD2.25 million in salaries for 192 staff members.
The amount also includes expenditures on communications, transportation and vehicle maintenance, in addition to almost JD6.1 million set aside as “social assistance” for citizens.
The amount allocated for His Majesty King Abdullah and the Royal family was set at JD828,000.
The Royal Court helps in humanitarian cases like healthcare for those uncovered by any insurance plan and dispenses financial assistance to poor students, along with other similar gestures.
According to parliamentary sources, the allocation is “a reasonable amount for such an institution”.
