KUWAIT: New government contracts for parking lot and street cleaning services are worth KD 124 million ($410 million), which cost KD 160 million ($528 million) less than previous deals, Kuwait Municipality said yesterday. The reduced cost is a testament to the municipality's commitment to preserve public funds, it said in a statement, commending the ubiquitous teams of janitors who toil in buildings and streets around-the-clock nationwide. The government will not hesitate to levy fines on any sweeping firm found to be negligent or not adhering to national laws, added the statement, highlighting that the contracts do not encompass commercial areas, as shopkeepers there deal with private suppliers of janitorial services. It went on to say that these contracts run smoothly for the most part, save for minor glitches here and there. - KUNA