Council authority curtailed following Majlis vote

The People’s Majlis has approved a government-backed bill that reduces authority from councils, revising the Decentralization Act of the Maldives.

The bill was approved with 51 votes during a committee meeting on Tuesday evening, with slight modifications.

Multiple councils and opposing political parties have been urging the retraction of this bill. The public had under 24 hours to provide their views on the legislation.

The legislation stipulates that council bank accounts must be managed according to regulations established by the Ministry of Finance. The ministry may also ask for bank statements whenever they find it necessary.

Moreover, during the rest of their term, councils will no longer have the authority to independently hire personnel, lease land and lagoons, or start new development initiatives.

According to the bill, council bank accounts must be managed according to the rules established by the Ministry of Finance. The ministry is able to ask for bank statements as required.

With the enactment of the bill, while councils previously had the authority to operate independently under the law, they will now encounter challenges. The legislation declares that councils are prohibited from participating in any business that a private entity is already managing on the respective island. Furthermore, the renting of land by councils will become increasingly difficult. As stated in the bill, no rental fees may be imposed on land designated for parties delivering crucial services to the public.

The changes to the Decentralization Act of Maldives were proposed on behalf of the government by Ibrahim Hussain, the primary MP from the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) representing South Fuvahmulah constituency.