By B Izzak

KUWAIT: The ministry of communications said on Sunday it has reached agreement with the interior ministry for the collection of bills from expats before they can leave the country and urged expats to abide by the new arrangements. Acting Communications Ministry Undersecretary Ahmad Al-Mejren said the measure will be implemented within a few days, adding that expats can pay bills through the Sahel application, the ministry’s webpage http://moc.gov.kw, visiting any telephone exchange office or the ministry’s office at the airport.

Payment of bills of various services has become compulsory for expats to be able to leave the country. Until now, they must pay traffic fines, while compulsion to pay electricity and water bills will go into force on Sept 1. Almost all bills can be paid at the airport except traffic tickets for speeding and illegally using parking spaces allocated for the handicapped which must be paid at traffic offices.

Meanwhile, two lawmakers submitted draft laws on Sunday calling to amend the law to stiffen penalties for people driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and causing the death of people to up to 10 years in jail. The…