The state’s proposed annual budget for 2018 is ‘purposeless’, labeled the opposition Adhaalath Party, and cautioned Maldivians to be wary.

In a statement expressing the party’s sentiments on the budget, they said that budget’s extensive reliance on loans could threaten the economy through debt and loss of investor trust.

The Adhaalath Party went on to say that, given the government’s ‘apparent history’, the recurring express and budget deficit set estimated for 2018 will be far greater than the figure stated.

The estimated recurrent expenses for 2017 was 13.6 billion, which has risen to 15.1 billion thus far. The government had also proposed a supplementary budget earlier this month.

Further, the Adhaalath Party said that the budget discriminates heavily between residents in the capital city and the outer lying islands.