The Housing Ministry has extended the deadline given to dry and smoked fish vendors, to empty their stalls, at the Malé Local Market.

While the ministry had initially given the vendors till December 11 to empty the stalls, the deadline has been extended to December 28.

The ministry highlighted that the agreement with the vendors had expired in June. Noting that regulations on leasing stalls at the local market were established in April this year, the Housing Ministry said that the said regulations were publicized on 26 April.

The Ministry further noted that they had opened up applications in June, adding that they had received applications from over 4,000 interested candidates.

Previously the ministry had said that authorities will confiscate any items left at the stalls after December 11, adding that they will not take responsibility for any of the damages caused to the items during the process.

According to the ministry, those that have been ordered to empty the stalls "are those that have violated set rules and procedures".