Budget debate to take over 20 hours

Speaker of Parliament, Former President Mohamed Nasheed has stated the debate for the proposed state budget for the upcoming year will be about 21-hours long.

Beginning Wednesday’s sitting, Speaker Nasheed highlighted that the general committee has decided to allocate a 15-minute period to each member, the first-time round. This will be followed by a seven-minute period after the committee submits its report after review.

While the proposal for the state budget 2020 was presented at Monday's parliament sitting and forwarded for committee review the same day, it will be evaluated jointly by the Public Accounts Committee and the Committee on Economic Affairs as stipulated under the parliament regulations. As such, the Budget Committee will be chaired by MP for Kinbidhoo constituency Mohamed Nashiz with Alifushi constituency MP Mohamed Rasheed Hussain as Vice Chair.

During a meeting of the Budget Committee on Tuesday night, members passed the proposed guidelines as they were, and proposed to summon the Auditor General and officials of the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) for recommendations. Nashiz revealed that work is underway to complete the evaluation by 20 November as it is required to be sent to the parliament floor within seven days.

The proposed state budget of MVR 37.5 billion has an expenditure of MVR 35.6 billion and the biggest Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) seen in the country’s history, set at MVR 10.1 million, MVR five million more than the past year.

Presenting the budget, Minister Ameer revealed that the first time the ministry has been able to compile a state budget under the government’s manifesto and “Jazeera Raajje” or island nation, vision. The budget is expected to provide a easier lifestyle for the people.

The government further envisions to complete water and sewerage projects across 157 islands within 2020-2021 under the PSIP budget. Several projects have been marked across the nation under the scope of the state budget.