Muizzu backtracks on gazetted housing pledge, strips flats from over 450 approved recipients
Muththalib confirmed that over 450 individuals have had their Gedhoruveriyaa scheme flats revoked despite being on the final gazetted list. This directly contradicts President Muizzu's campaign pledge and post-election promise that his government would honor all benefits from gazetted lists and not obstruct allocations made by previous administrations. The revocations were made citing failure to meet essential eligibility criteria.
Flats built under the housing scheme "Gedhoruveriyaa"
Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Dr. Abdulla Muththalib has confirmed that flats have been revoked from more than 450 individuals who were included in the final gazetted list of recipients for flats built under the Gedhoruveriyaa scheme implemented by the government of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in Hulhumalé.
Speaking at a press conference held at the President’s Office on Sunday, Muththalib said the flats were revoked on the grounds that, despite being listed on the final roster, the recipients did not meet what he described as an essential eligibility criterion.
This admission directly contradicts President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s campaign pledge to the public. During his presidential campaign, Muizzu had pledged that his government would not obstruct any benefit provided by a Maldivian government, even if the policy was flawed or had failed. He also pledged that his administration would not seize or block anything that a citizen had even a minimal chance of receiving.
Muizzu had stated during the campaign that if a Maldivian government, even one based on error or a failed policy, provided a benefit to the public, his government would not obstruct it. He further stated that if there was even a small possibility for a citizen to receive something, even if it did not yet exist, his government would not stand in the way.
Beyond his campaign commitments, President Muizzu reiterated this position after assuming office at a press conference held at the President’s Office. He clarified at the time that if a final list had been gazetted by a government, it constituted a binding government decision and that flats would be granted according to that list. He emphasized that even if documentation or registration certificates had not yet been issued, individuals named on the gazetted list were entitled to receive their flat or plot of land.
Muizzu stated, in the presence of all ministers, that no one would have their flat or plot taken away once it had been allocated to them. He said that if the allocation had been officially gazetted, it belonged to the recipient, regardless of whether documents had been issued or registration completed, noting that those were separate administrative matters. He further stated that if a final list had been gazetted, it represented a government decision, and recipients would receive what was allocated to them. He added that this would be the general policy of his administration and that it would not change.
Under the previous government’s Gedhoruveriyaa Scheme’s first round, a total of 13,763 individuals met the eligibility criteria. The Solih administration decided to provide flats to all eligible applicants and initiated the construction of 11,000 flats, of which 4,000 were completed and handed over to their respective owners.
To provide flats to the remaining 9,763 eligible applicants, financing was secured through an Indian Line of Credit. In 2023, construction of an additional 6,000 flats was awarded to Indian companies KPIL and JMC Projects, which were already engaged in building the earlier 4,000 flats.
In addition to this Solih’s government had initiated work on a total of 7,000 flats, including 1,000 flats being developed by Apollo Company.
Despite Muizzu’s personal assurances that flats would be granted in accordance with the gazetted final list, his administration has now acted in direct contradiction to that pledge. The government has reviewed the list of recipients and revoked the rights of many individuals, citing failure to meet an essential eligibility criterion.
Under the eligibility requirements of the previous government’s Gedhoruveriyaa Scheme, applicants were required to have resided continuously in Malé City for 15 years and to not own a flat or land registered in their name.
Muththalib stated that flats have already been revoked from more than 450 individuals and that, as the flat handover process continues, some application forms remain under review. He added that it is therefore anticipated that additional individuals may also lose their flats.
