President ratifies amendment allowing ministers to approve or reject permanent secretaries

President Abdulla Yameen has ratified the amendments to Civil Service Act which allows for government ministers to approve or reject permanent secretary selection for the ministry under their care.

The amendments were passed by the parliament last Monday, and ratified by the President this Thursday.

The change means government ministers need to approve permanent secretaries appointed by Civil Service Commission for the ministries under their care, and responsibility of the permanent secretaries have been changed so that they are called upon to provide their advice and input only when it is asked for by the ministers.

The amendment was proposed to parliament on behalf of government by Dhidhdhoo MP Abdul Latheef Mohamed.