More than 50,000 register for fuel subsidy cards in less than a week

Muscat: More than 50,000 citizens have registered for the national subsidy system until today, according to National Subsidy System (NSS).

Omani citizens who met the eligibility requirements have begun receiving smart cards from fuel marketing companies.

"The card for Shell and Oman Oil card holders must be activated through the website, while Al Maha cards are automatically activated. The card is to be used in January 2018," NSS announced online.

The National Subsidy statistics indicate that until Thursday, December 14, the number of fishermen applying for the subsidy system were 51, while the number of public applications exceeded 16,000.

12,097 men and 2,096 female, 59.4 per cent of those registered were employed, while 15.27 per cent were job seekers and 9.7 percent were students.

Al Batinah Governorate came in the first place in the number of registered for the subsidy system with 30.7 per cent, while Muscat came in second at 25.58 per cent.

The National Subsidy System was launched on December 13,2017.

According to government news agency, Omani citizens who meet eligibility requirements will get 200 litre per month of M91 petrol at a cost of not more than 180 baisas per litre. This mechanism will include all sectors of society who meet the following requirements: Each Omani citizen above 18-year-old who owns in his name a vehicle registered with Royal Oman Police or a fishing boat registered with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries subject that his total monthly income from all sources is not more than OMR600.

With the introduction of the National Subsidy System, the current price cap on M91 petrol will also be lifted, as directed by the Council of Ministers, according to authorities.

Based on the subsidy terms, the categories covered include all Omani employees, entrepreneurs, job seekers, students , housemaids and retirees, as well as fishermen who meet the said eligibility terms.