House panel to follow up on recommendations over budget

AMMAN — The Lower House on Wednesday decided to form an ad-hoc committee to follow up on the government’s implementation of the alternatives proposed by the Chamber to increase revenues.

In remarks to Jordan Television last week, House Speaker Atef Tarawneh said the Chamber worked to ensure that basic commodities are “left untouched”, adding that consumers will not be affected by price hikes.

Instead of approving JD450 million additional taxes in the draft budget, Tarawneh said, lawmakers suggested alternatives to protect people with middle and lower incomes. Options proposed by the House include imposing a JD1 monthly fee on mobile phone lines and unifying guest worker permit fees.