Majlis receives bill that would undermine council’s power

The government has proposed changes to the law designed to stop councils from employing permanent and contract staff, in addition to renting land and lagoons, in the last year of their term.

The changes to the Maldives' Decentralization Act were presented by Ibrahim Hussain, the main MP for the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) representing the South Fuvahmulah constituency, on behalf of the government. The initial reading of the legislation took place on Monday.

The bill includes amendments that require approval from the Ministry of Finance and Local Government Authority (LGA) before hiring permanent and contract employees, and prohibits leasing of land, lagoons, and reef areas within the council’s jurisdiction.

Moreover, the amendment presented by the government via the PNC representative for the South Fuvahmulah constituency specifies that new development projects not part of the councils' current development plans cannot commence.

The amendment specifies that no matter what is mentioned in other parts of the law, if there are 365 days or fewer left in the term of local councils as outlined in the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives, these issues cannot be addressed in any other way.

With less than 365 days left in the current councils' term at the time the amendment was suggested, once it is approved and published, councils will forfeit their autonomous power to hire staff, lease properties, and initiate new development projects for the rest of their term.

Included in the suggested amendments is a clause stating that the government must distribute revenue to councils only after subtracting any taxes due to the state according to any legislation, along with any utility bills that remain unpaid for over six months.

The modifications also entail a stipulation for councils to submit their bank account statements to the Ministry of Finance when requested.

In reaction to the amendment, the key opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has urged councilors to oppose and resist the alterations to the Decentralization Act that diminish council authority. In a statement issued on Sunday, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) declared that the amendment bill to the Decentralization Act, which the government has currently presented to the People's Majlis, is designed to wholly remove councils’ authority and dismantle the decentralized system.

MDP expressed that they oppose the PNC government's actions, which are utilizing every state resource to dismantle the country's councils ahead of the forthcoming council elections. They think the government is trying to gain control over the islands to sway the council's decisions.