Finance Ministry orders to stop all spending except for salaries

Ministry of Finance and Treasury has ordered all offices to cease financial transactions except for granting salaries.

A circular signed by Finance Minister Abdulla Jihad yesterday said that the ministry has closed this year's budget to forbid any financial transaction from the government’s general budget except for those involving employees. However,absolutely necessary spending will be granted, if there is room in the budget after allocation of salaries, the circular said.

Budget review committee of the parliament is currently analyzing the 2014 state budget. Parliament is set to vote on the budget on Sunday, 29 December.

Budget passed for 2013 was MVR 16.9 billion.