Parliament approves MVR 35K monthly allowance to ex VPs

Parliament has voted in approval of the legislature designed to award all former Vice Presidents of Maldives with a monthly allowance of MVR 35,000, as long as they have not been sentenced for a criminal offense.

The legislature, submitted by Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem (Redwave Saleem) passed with the vote of 32 lawmakers during the Parliament sitting this Wednesday afternoon.

12 lawmakers had voted in disapproval of the legislature.

The five-member interim committee set up to evaluate the legislature had added two provisions to it. They are that:

A former Vice President may not be eligible for his/her allowance if he/she is serving at another State position

A former Vice President may not be eligible for his/her allowance if he/she has been sentenced by a court of law for a criminal offense

FORMER VICE PRESIDENTS:

Former VP Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor, the second VP during former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration, is currently serving a prison sentence and will not be eligible for the allowance.

Those who will be eligible for the allowance includes Dr. Ahmed Jameel Mohamed – who served as the first VP during former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, and Abdulla Jihad – who served as the third and final VP during former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration.

Other former VPs eligible for the allowance are Mohamed Waheeduddin (Dean) – who served as VP during former President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Ahmed’s administration – and Dr. Mohamed Waheed Ahmed himself – as he had served as VP during former President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration.

There is already legislature in place to award allowance and incentives to former Presidents. Former Maldivian Presidents receive MVR 75,000 as their monthly allowance, MVR 10,000 as their monthly living allowance, and MVR 87,000 per month for office expenses.