Parliament passes bill to seize council lands, disregarding public concerns and petitions!

The People's Majlis has passed an amendment to the Decentralization Act, granting the government authority to reclaim lands and areas under the jurisdiction of local councils for the purpose of implementing state development projects.

The bill, introduced by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, was reviewed by the Parliament's Decentralization Committee. The committee approved the bill with several amendments.

Ahmed Aifan, the PNC Member of Parliament for North Henveiru, has proposed an amendment requiring the Ministry of Finance to provide fair compensation to councils or third parties in cases where investments have been made on land or properties subsequently removed from a council's jurisdiction. Under the proposal, such compensation would be mandatory for any legally authorized investments made by the council or a third party prior to the change in jurisdiction.

While the committee passed the member's proposal by a majority vote, it was opposed by MP Mauroof Zakir of the Kendhoo constituency and MP Mohamed Niushad of the Keyodhoo constituency—both representing the opposition MDP—along with independent MP Abdul Rahman of the Addu Meedhoo constituency.

Furthermore, an additional subsection has been incorporated following subsection (m) of Section 56-2 of the Act.

As the committee approved the amendments and forwarded the bill to the floor, the MDP Member for the Kendhoo constituency highlighted that a petition regarding the bill had previously been submitted to Parliament. He noted that the Petition Committee had requested the Decentralization Committee's input on the matter. The member argued that if the bill is finalized without considering such a petition, it would render the entire process of allowing public petitions to Parliament meaningless.

The member stated that the situation was unacceptable and could not be allowed to proceed in such a manner. Consequently, the member proposed that the bill's proceedings should only continue after taking the petition into consideration. However, the committee, which holds a PNC majority, rejected the proposal.

Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu), the MDP Member of Parliament for North Galolhu, has proposed several amendments to the bill sponsored and introduced by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru.

Nevertheless, disregarding all such concerns, the Parliament passed the bill during Wednesday's session as recommended by the committee, with a majority of 47 members. Twelve members from the MDP voted against the motion.

The bill was introduced to curtail the powers of local councils and grant the government the authority to reclaim land and properties within council jurisdictions. Consequently, the legislation has sparked significant concern among the public and local authorities alike. A petition submitted to Parliament highlights that these amendments would strip elected councilors of their mandate, effectively transferring their powers to the Cabinet. Furthermore, the petition notes that the proposed changes would allow for punitive measures to be taken against elected councilors on the grounds of opposing or failing to cooperate with Cabinet decisions.

Several councils have expressed their concern over the matter, issuing statements and resolutions calling for the withdrawal of the amendment.