The committees for productive sectors and for finance and budget at the National Council of Regions and Districts held, on Wednesday, June 17, a joint working session devoted to examining an initiative presented by Deputy Ali Hassoumi El Beyouli. It concerns a “national initiative for energy sovereignty and strengthening the efficiency of public spending”.
A tribute to the victims of the Mazzouna accident
At the start of the session, the participants observed a moment of reflection in memory of the victims of the Mazzouna accident, while wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
The speakers also stressed the necessity of activating the legal texts relating to the transport of women working in the agricultural sector. This issue was presented as essential to ensure the safety of agricultural workers and improve their travel conditions.
An initiative in the form of recommendations to the government
Presenting the broad outlines of his proposal, Ali Hassoumi El Beyouli recalled that the National Council of Regions and Districts does not have the power of legislative initiative nor the possibility to present bills.
He however stressed that the Council can submit recommendations to the government on issues related to development, governance and the proper management of public funds.
According to the author of the initiative, the worsening energy deficit and the increase in the cost of compensation require practical solutions to limit the depletion of public resources. He specified that this proposal stems from a personal effort aimed at strengthening the complementarity between the legislative and executive functions.
Governance of the administrative vehicle fleet and reform of the compensation
The initiative includes several recommendations, including governance of the administrative vehicle fleet. It notably proposes to limit the use of service vehicles to field missions and administrative necessities, while strengthening control of their use outside official working hours.
The text also recommends revising the fuel consumption system within public structures, reforming the compensation mechanism by directing aid directly to the real beneficiaries, and re examining the criteria of support granted to large energy-intensive companies.
Among other measures proposed are the fight against illegal use of domestic gas, as well as the return to daylight saving time in order to help reduce energy consumption.
Daylight saving time at the center of debates
During the discussions, several speakers recalled that the initiative remains, at this stage, an individual proposal. It cannot therefore be adopted or presented on behalf of the Council until its examination, discussion and approval are completed according to the procedures in force.
The participants welcomed the importance of the topic, given its link to energy sovereignty and the rationalization of public expenditure. They believed that mastering the energy deficit and the cost of compensation is among the main national challenges currently.
The return to daylight saving time drew particular attention. Some deputies considered that this measure could help reduce energy consumption and improve the pace of economic activity. Others proposed studying alternatives, notably adopting the single-session regime in certain regions or structures where administrative activity is lower in the afternoon.
Reservations on certain practical measures
Regarding the governance of the administrative vehicle fleet, several speakers acknowledged the importance of the objective to rationalize the use of service vehicles and reduce public spending.
They however argued that the implementation of certain proposals could raise practical difficulties requiring a more in-depth study. In this framework, it was proposed to review the management and maintenance system of administrative vehicles, while studying alternative solutions enabling better utilization of the fleet and reducing the financial charges associated with it.
Illegal use of domestic gas also discussed
The discussions also addressed the illegal use of domestic gas cylinders in commercial and industrial activities. The participants mentioned the existence of guidelines aimed at addressing this issue to protect the compensation system and ensure the availability of this material for citizens.
An initiative referred back to its author for further development
At the end of the discussions, the participants agreed that the initiative, in its current version, requires further enrichment and precision. Its title indeed covers several major strategic dossiers that require the use of scientific studies, official reports, and reliable numerical data.
It was thus decided to send the initiative back to its author to deepen, develop and back it with the necessary official data. The objective is to draft a more complete version capable of meeting the announced goals in terms of energy sovereignty and efficiency of public spending.
