Parliament concludes preliminary debates, sends three bills to committees for review

The Parliament concluded preliminary debates on three bills on Monday, and forwarded them to relevant committees for review.

The first was a government bill sponsored by North Kulhudhuffushi MP Yasir Abdul Latheef to amend the Utility Act.

The bill was sent to the Environment and Climate Change Committee for review with the unanimous vote of 58 parliamentarians.

The proposed amendments to the Utility Act include changes needed to set standards for quality control, incorporate renewable energy in the state utility system, and establish penalties for parties who violate utility-related laws – including a maximum MVR 1 million fine for violation of Ground Water Act.

The second bill was a government bill sponsored by Mathiveri MP Hassan Zareer to amend the Judicature Act.

The bill is designed to establish a 30-day window for appeal of High Court decisions, and make it compulsory for the High Court to share documents regarding the court’s decisions to relevant parties within minimum seven days.

The bill is also designed to facilitate the dissolution of High Court’s branches in the north and south.

The bill was sent to the Judiciary Committee for review with the vote of 58 parliamentarians.

The Parliament also sent the financial declaration bill submitted by Deputy Speaker, North Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla to the Public Accounts Committee.

The bill declares the parties required to submit financial declarations, the information that should be on financial declarations, and standards for information verification. It also criminalizes providing false information on financial declarations.

The proposed penalties for false information on financial declarations include dismissal, two-year prison sentence, and fines of up to MVR 500,000, depending on the seriousness of the offense.