Palestinian Authority begins administrative reforms

It is expected that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat will issue a decision to reshuffle the cabinet next month after applying administrative reforms to PA ministries and institutions within the coming days.

Arafat asked the presidential secretary-general, Al Tayeb Abdel Rahim, to chair the joint committee which comprises members of the Ministerial Council and the Legislative Council. The Committee will be responsible for revising the laws issued by the Legislative Council which were not put into force.

Abdel Rehim also prepared the recommendations concerning administrative reform. Among the decisions which will be applied is the principle of holding periodic meetings by the Ministerial Council as an independent executive body without being part of the confederation including the Ministerial Council, the Negotiation Committee and the Executive Committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization in the weekly meetings held by the Palestinian leadership.

This decision will help avoid the duality of responsibilities and will lead to specifying them. Another decision will be adopted regarding forming efficient and experienced boards of directors to oversee important institutions like the Radio and TV, the Energy, and the Retirement and Insurance Fund.

The decisions also include reducing the government expenditures to limit illegal spending and wasting the public money to curb corruption and public negligence.