The second round of the state budget debate will begin next Monday.

Speaker, former President Mohamed Nasheed made the announcement at Wednesday’s sitting, after noting the remaining work to be completed prior to the end of the year’s last session.

While the proposed budget of MVR 37.5 billion was reviewed by a budget committee, its report has since been presented to the parliament floor.

Noting that the proposed budget has now been forwarded to all members of the parliament, the speaker stressed that there is still opportunity to amend it.

As per decided earlier, each member will be given a total of seven minutes during the second round of debate.

Afterwards, majlis will take a vote on the budget.

The budget committee has added an additional MVR 366 million to the proposed budget.

Noting this, Nasheed urged the MPs to “take this into account”, and added that the committee’s decision to increase the budget which in turn will increase the deficit “was irresponsible.”

He noted that amending the budget in a way that increases the deficit will result in hindrances in operations.

The parliamentarians took a total of 16 hours and 54 minutes during the first debate round; each member was given 15 minutes.

The proposed budget for the upcoming year was forwarded to parliament on October 31, and presented to the floor on November 4.