The Shoura Council on Tuesday approved the National Strategy for Statistical Development. The session, chaired by the Council Deputy President Muhammad Al-Jafri, took the decision after listening to the viewpoints of the Committee of Economy and Energy on the basis of the observations made by the members during their deliberations on the strategy, read out by the Committee Chairman Abdurahman Al-Rashid, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The Council called for carrying out periodic evaluation to implement the strategy as well as the five-year action plans and operation plans of the General Authority of Statistics. The Council also underlined the need for developing the infrastructure pertaining to organizational, technological and human resources of the statistical and information units and departments of government agencies across the Kingdom in a way meeting the requirements of the National Strategy for Statistical Development. Yahya Al-Samaan, assistant president of the Council, said that the Shoura also approved the bylaw of criminal procedures against violations of water plants and sales outlets for tankers. The bylaw gives a grace period of one year for these plants and shops to correct their status in a way adhering to the provisions of the bylaw. After the grace period, punitive measures will be taken against the violating firms. The penalties include SR5 million in fine or suspension of license for a maximum of six months or cancellation of license. The bylaw, which consists of 11 articles, was read by Ali Al-Tukhais, chairman of the Committee of Water, Agriculture and Environment.
