Parties to discuss over budget issues

Political parties have agreed to sit with the Ministry of Finance and Treasury to talk and find agreeable solutions to perceived issues with the budget proposed for the coming year by the government.

The decision to sit with the Minister came today, at a meeting of the People’s Majlis Budget Committee, by unanimous vote. The meeting was proposed at the Committee meeting by Riyaz Rasheed, MP for Vilufushi Constituency and Deputy Leader of the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM). Riyaz said that talks among leaders of all parties were conducted in the past as well.

Riyaz said that Abdullah Jihad, the Minister of Finance had handed over details of how budgetary expenditure components were distributed among different constituencies to leaders of parties.

“Last night we held a discussion with the Minister of Finance, and in that meeting, details of how spending on development projects would be distributed to all constituencies”, said Riyaz.

Riyaz also said that leaders of parties had expressed their proposals for few changes. He also said that another meeting of the Budget Committee should be conducted after discussions with parties were complete.

Riyaz’s suggestion was seconded by Ahmed Naashid, MP for Komandoo Constituency and Qaasim Ibrahim, MP for Mamigili Constituency.

For constituencies represented by PPM members, MVR 1.3 billion has been set from a total of MVR 6.2 billion under the PSIP, while MVR 775 million was allocated for constituencies represented by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). MVR 446 million has been allocated for constituencies represented by Jumhoory Party, while MVR 220 million is allocated for constituencies represented by the MDA, main partner of the government with PPM. MVR 39 million is allocated for constituencies represented by Adaalath Party, while MVR 40 million is allocated for one constituency represented by an unaffiliated MP.