Parliament concludes budget deliberations

The People’s Majlis has concluded deliberations on the proposed state budget for the upcoming year.

The finance ministry had submitted the MVR 37.5 billion budget proposal on October 31, and it was presented to the parliament floor on November 4.

A total of 76 lawmakers, out of the total 87, took part in the budget discussions, which took 16 hours and 54 minutes. Each member was allocated a 15-minute period, as decided by the general committee.

In addition, it was announced that the parliament’s budget committee has met 16 times thus far.

Speaker, former President Mohamed Nasheed noted that the budget review is going accordingly.

As such, budget deliberations began on November 12, after giving the required seven days from the date of submission.

The Finance Minister was also given a 45-minute period, to clarify the matters raised by lawmakers.

While the committee continues to review the state budget 2020, the speaker said that notes from the sittings will be provided to the budget committee later on Tuesday.

The committee must complete the review and submit its report seven days prior to the end of the third session of Majlis.

MPs will be given the opportunity to deliberate on the committee, again, this time each member will be allocated seven minutes.

While the speaker highlighted the need to finish the work prior to the end of session, he estimates that the work will go on until December 8.