Pro-gov’t committee MPs vote to keep budget expenditure under wraps from public eyes
Three MDP parliamentarians and MDA MP Mohamed Abbas voted in favor of MP Ghafoor’s proposal
A Budget Committee meeting | People's Majlis
Pro-government lawmakers in the Budget Committee of the People's Majlis have voted to keep details of the 2024 budget expenditure secret from the public.
In Sunday's meeting of the committee convened to review the supplementary budget submitted by the government in addition to the MVR 49 billion budget passed by the 19th People's Majlis for 2024, a proposal was made by main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s MP for Hanimaadhoo constituency Abdul Ghafoor Moosa to disclose details of budget expenditure to date.
The proposal was backed by MP for South Hulhumalé constituency Dr. Ahmed Shamheed.
It was rejected through votes from the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) members affiliated with the government as well as the leader of Jumhooree Party (JP).
Three MDP parliamentarians and MDA MP Mohamed Abbas voted in favor of MP Ghafoor’s proposal.
Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim and 14 PNC members voted against passing the proposal.
A supplementary budget of MVR 5.1 billion was submitted to the People’s Majlis last week, with the current administration claiming that it was to cover state expenses. This was done after the government failed to proceed with major projects, halted PSIP projects, and failed to disclose how the 2024 state budget was spent.
The supplementary budget adds up to MVR 5,119,508,129.
The deficit of the supplementary budget is MVR four billion.
This means that this year's total budget deficit is MVR 18 billion.
MDP lawmakers have heavily criticized the government's submission of an additional budget for this year.
Opposition members said that only MVR 18 billion has been spent so far out of the MVR 49 billion budget, and it's unclear what happened to the remaining MVR 31 billion.
The opposition's concern is that the government is seeking an additional MVR five billion without disclosing what happened to the MVR 31 billion.
Speaking about the supplementary budget last week, MP for Kendhoo constituency Mauroof Zakir said that while the government is seeking an additional budget, no projects are visibly progressing and yet the current administration has spent more than ever before in the country's history.
Minister of Finance Moosa Zameer was scheduled to appear at the Budget Committee meeting on Monday.
Speaking while presenting the supplementary budget, Zameer stated that MVR 37 billion has been spent so far.
He, however, did not disclose any additional details of this expenditure.
Although the law mandates publishing monthly state expenditure and revenue figures, the incumbent administration of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has not published state financial statements since June 20.
The incumbent administration faces public criticism for not publishing state financial statements at a time the World Bank has also expressed concern over this issue.
