MB accuses government over social justice demands‎

A government attempt to gradually lift petroleum products' subsidies from the rich, has been met by stiff resistance from rich.

Another government attempt to save electricity and its fuel supply for the neediest, that called for a 10 pm curfew for commercial stores and a midnight curfew for restaurants and cafes, has also been delayed at the request of commercial chambers.

Restructuring the energy subsidies bill is vital for Egypt, since it is estimated to contribute alone, to more than two thirds of the continuously rising budget deficit, which has exceeded 10 percent of GDP.

Resurgent power cuts, expensive cooking gas cylinders and poor quality of bread have been on the daily menu in Egypt for decades, and only a real clampdown on corruption could make things different.

To make matters worse, nearly half of the energy subsidies are estimated to miss their intended targets, as a result of corruption helped by a relatively weak security grip.

The interior ministry has said that daily smuggling of petroleum products amounts to nearly five billion us dollars per year, a sum similar to the one the government is asking to receive as a loan from the international monetary fund.

The government has handed a report to president Morsi over its efforts in the fields of security, economy, services, and improving the daily lives of citizens.

It says it is so far on track to achieving the goals of the revolution, atop of which come social justice, and the fight against corruption.

The president and the premier have asked people to bear patience, noting that things are moving in the right direction.

The Egyptian government has the tough task of convincing public opinion of the need to gradually lift petroleum products' subsidies, while keeping it only intact for the poorest of the poor, in order to rein in a big budget deficit and achieve tangible social justice.