The Council of Representatives yesterday approved a proposal to allow citizens to defer payments of bank loans for two months in view of Ramadan.

An urgent proposal was moved by four MPs led by Mohamed Husain Janahi, seeking a government directive to the Central Bank of Bahrain to consider deferring the repayment of non-commercial loans of citizens for two months on occasion of the holy month of Ramadan.

MP Janahi said the prices have gone up and people are burdened and are asking for at least deferral of loan repayment without interest. It is an important proposal and he wishes that the government will show a positive response to it, the MP added.

The proposal seeking deferral of repayment for two months is not burdensome on the banks but will help the citizens who are in need, said MP Hesham Ahmed Alasheeri, while expressing hope that the Central Bank will issue such a directive. A voting was held for the proposal and a majority of the MPs voted for passing the proposal.