Ministry seeks additional ACC advisory on flat issuance

Housing Minister Dr. Ali Haidar on Sunday asked the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for an additional advisory regarding the issuance of flats under the ‘Gedhoruveriya’ social housing scheme launched during the previous administration.

The Housing Ministry said in a statement that Haidar met with members of the ACC on Sunday seeking additional counsel regarding a letter sent by the commission after it granted permission to issue the forst 4,000 flats under the scheme.

In an additional statement, the Housing Ministry announced that the issuance of land registry and award letter for recipients of the ‘Binveriya’ scheme is open. The ministry said it will allow the recipients who were unable to come and collect the documents on the dates previously given by the ministry to do so.

The statements come after President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced earlier Sunday that the government is working on issuing registry to recipients of land from Gulhifalhu, Giraavaru, and Hulhumale’ Phase III.

The ACC had previously ordered the suspension of issuance of flats under the ‘Gedhoruveriya’ scheme, following complaints of irregularities in the award of the first 4,000 flats. The prolonged investigation sparked protest from recipients of the flats.

The corruption watchdog lifted the suspension on Thursday, instructing the Housing Ministry to abide by certain rules while issuing the flats.

The commission told the Housing Ministry to revise flagged applications without making changes to the applications that were awarded points in accordance with ACC’s policies and criteria, and to maintain uniformity in making decisions where the policies do not provide explicit instructions.