Store shelves have run empty, and citizens have been forced to resort to using their small change savings to survive: Saudulla

Former Deputy Minister Saudulla Ahmed has stated that shop shelves have run empty and the public has been forced to resort to using their personal coin savings.

Speaking on RaajjeTV’s "Fala Surukhee" program regarding rising commodity prices, Saudulla stated that the current dollar shortage in the Maldives has driven up the cost of imported goods, causing significant hardship for the public.

Saudulla stated that although national revenue has increased during the first two years of President Muizzu's administration, there has been no corresponding rise in the income of the general public. At the same time, Saudulla questioned the utilization of the 60 billion Rufiyaa state budget allocated for this year, raising concerns over what is being achieved with these funds.

Furthermore, Saudulla stated that government officials are misappropriating public tax money, while theft and corruption within state-owned enterprises have reached unprecedented levels.

We are witnessing a surge in corruption and theft within state-owned enterprises, as government officials continue to misappropriate the tax contributions of the public.

Saudulla Ahmed

Saudulla further stated that information received from State Electric Company (STELCO) employees suggests that when taking meter readings, the company compares the current month's usage with the previous month's bill and issues charges based on arbitrary figures of their choosing. He also noted that there can be no stability in the country when such "theft" is being committed against the public's pockets.

He noted that electricity bills in some households have now surged beyond MVR 6,000, highlighting the significant hardships the public is facing under the current administration. Saudulla further asserted that the government is currently making no effort to address these issues.