Proposed state budget increases to nearly MVR 18 billion

The state budget proposed by the government for 2014 has increased to MVR 17.9 billion following changes by the Budget Committee.

This has been confirmed to Sun Online by Henveyru-Dhekunu MP Hamid Abdul Gafoor.

MP Hamid said that the increase in the budget is the result of a decision by the Budget Committee to provide additional MVR 400 million to independent institutions.

The government earlier reduced the budget for 2014 requested by independent institutions. This was followed by a request from the Budget Committee by independent institutions to have their budget increased by MVR 502 million.

Details of budget increases for individual independent institutions were not available at the time of press.

Pro-government MPs of the Budget Committee have requested the parliament to facilitate ways to increase income, if independent institutions are to be granted their request to increase budget.

Vice Chairperson of Budget Committee Kelaa MP Dr Abdulla Mausoom told Sun Online today that it was decided yesterday to increase the budget for independent institutions, and that information regarding the Budget Committee’s activities will be shared with the media later.

The former government proposed a budget of MVR 16.4 billion for 2014, which was increased to MVR 17.5 billion following review by the new government.

Since yesterday, the Budget Committee has decided to exclude the media and hold its meetings in secret.