Audit Office Flags GDh Council’s MVR 700,000 Thailand Trip
The Auditor General’s Office has flagged a study tour to Thailand conducted by the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Council, which cost over MVR 700,000 in violation of state expenditure reduction circulars. The audit report noted that there was no evidence of meetings with any official Thai government agencies and highlighted that the trip was purportedly intended to achieve objectives from previous overseas visits that remained unfulfilled. Consequently, the Audit Office has urged local councils to refrain from funding such trips through the state budget, recommending instead that they seek external sponsorships or aid for such initiatives.
This follows a previous meeting between the Vice President and the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Council. | Presidents Office
The Auditor General’s Office has stated that the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Council’s expenditure of MVR 723,936 on an exposure trip to Thailand in 2025 cannot be justified as being in compliance with government directives issued to councils to reduce state spending.
The compliance audit report for the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Council, released by the Auditor General’s Office, highlighted a circular issued by the Ministry of Cities, Local Government and Public Works regarding the implementation of the President's decision to reduce state expenditure. The report noted that the circular instructs councils to prioritize cutting recurrent costs, refrain from all but essential spending, and strictly limit travel to only what is absolutely necessary.
According to the report, during the fourth general meeting of the council's fourth term for the year 2025, a decision was made to undertake a trip to Hua Hin, Thailand, titled "Field Expertise Tour." Subsequently, a letter containing the details of this trip was dispatched to the Ministry of Cities, Local Government, and Public Works on March 9, 2025.
However, the council office has not received any response to this letter. Furthermore, it was noted that the travel expenses were not processed in accordance with the circular issued by the ministry.
The audit report revealed that the Atoll Council spent MVR 723,936 from its official budget to fund a 13-day study tour to Thailand from April 9 to April 21, 2025. The delegation consisted of 10 officials, including nine council members and the Secretary General, and the expenditure was incurred without securing alternative funding sources, such as sponsorships or foreign aid.
The report further noted that the council office had failed to comply with the expenditure reduction guidelines set out in the circular, as evidenced by the substantial amount spent from its administrative budget.
The Audit Office highlighted that the travel report contained no information regarding meetings with relevant Thai authorities, research institutions, or officially recognized agricultural associations. Furthermore, the report failed to provide any evidence of engagements with agencies related to the country's agricultural or tourism sectors.
Furthermore, the report noted that several objectives cited for the council's official visits to Thailand were identical to those previously listed for a 2023 trip to Thailand, as well as missions to Turkey, Dubai, and Sri Lanka in 2024.
The office has urged the council to rectify these issues and adhere to the recommendations outlined in the circular. Furthermore, as part of state-wide austerity measures, the office advised against utilizing the administrative budget for such high-cost travel. Instead, it recommended that such trips only proceed if funding is secured through sponsorships or external aid.
