The Peninsula

Doha, Apr 22: The preparations are over for the formation of rent dispute resolution committees at various municipalities. The panels are expected to start operations by mid-May.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture, H E Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Khalifa Al Thani yesterday. The Minister was speaking to reporters after opening a conference of GCC municipal officials to discuss the importance of freedom of expression and free and fair civic elections in the region.

The new rent law which came into force on February 15, it may be recalled, provides for the setting up of rent dispute resolution committees at all the 29 municipal councils in the country. The disputes are hitherto heard by rent and civil courts.

“We hope that by the middle of May, these panels would begin functioning," Sheikh Abdul Rahman said.

In reply to a question about the response to the new rent law from residents and nationals, he said before the legislation was brought into force, the local media created some confusion but things became okay once the law saw the light of day.

Evading a question on whether there were plans to arm the Central Municipal Council (CMC), which has only consultative status, with executive powers, he said: "They (CMC members) have absolute freedom."