Food provisions of MPs cut as part of cost-cutting measures

As part of cost-cutting measures, the parliament of Maldives has begun work on cutting the food provisions of MPs, after the Finance Ministry called to reduce parliamentary expenditure.

Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer had sent a letter to the Speaker of the Parliament yesterday, to reduce parliamentary expenditure by MVR 19.3 million.

Nasheed noted that this was a measure that can be done and ordered the deputy speaker of the parliament to invoke measures to reduce expenditure. In today’s parliamentary session, Nasheed noted that the deputy speaker was working to cut the food and water provisions of MPs among other amenities.

“However, I did ask the deputy speaker to consider us when cutting down. And even if the food provisions are cut, to keep the water and other amenities available to us,” said Nasheed.

Nasheed has previously stated that around MVR 100,000 was spent per month as food provisions of MPs. An average of MVR 159.88 is spent for every MP as food provisions in every parliamentary session. This means that MVR 13, 909.56 is spent as food provisions for all 87 MPs of the parliament per session.

Parliamentary sessions are held on three days a week usually. If 12 sessions are held every month, this would mean that MVR 166,914.72 is spent as food provisions.

While the food provisions of MPs are being cut down, governing MDP had also suggested yesterday to slash 20 percent of the salaries of MPs as part of cost-cutting measures.