Supplementary budget: Finance Minister, Governor to be summoned to Committee

Budget Committee has voted to summon Finance Minister Moosa Zameer, Auditor General Hussain Niyaazy and central bank, Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA)’s Governor Ahmed Munawar to the Committee seeking their counsel on the supplementary budget proposed for the remainder of the year.

Parliament’s regulations mandate to seek counsel from the Finance Minister, Auditor General, MMA’s Governor and other individuals deemed necessary when reviewing the budget – whether be it by summoning them to the Parliament in person or in writing.

At Sunday’s meeting of the Budget Committee, Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau proposed to seek counsel from the three individuals and in this trajectory, to include them in the meeting slated for 14:00pm on Monday, and schedule the vote on the supplementary budget following this meeting.

The proposal was backed by Maamgili MP Qasim Ibrahim. It was ultimately passed with the votes of 15 MPs.

During Sunday’s meeting, opposition MDP lawmakers in the Budget Committee expressed concern citing the proposed supplementary budget lacked details on how the funds will be utilized. They also expressed concern over the government’s failure to disclose expenditure details since June of this year.

In this regard, Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa proposed to inquire regarding the current administration’s expenses from the Finance Minister when he appears before the Committee regarding the supplementary budget. The proposal, despite being backed by South Hulhumale’ MP Dr. Ahmed Shamheedh, prompted anger from some lawmakers.

Ultimately, the proposal was dismissed in a vote.