Parliamentary sitting concluded in three hours despite MPs requesting to debate

Wednesday’s parliamentary sitting was concluded within three hours despite pleas from lawmakers requesting for opportunity to debate.

Majority of parliamentary sittings since the government reopened after Eid holidays have been cancelled, prompting public backlash towards the Parliament’s chair and the government.

According to Parliament’s standing orders, it should hold three sittings each week. These sittings are usually held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Parliament only held one sitting in the first week after returning from the holidays – which was on Monday. The sittings on Tuesday and Wednesday were cancelled. Similarly, only one sitting was held in the following week.

Only one sitting has been held this week as well; today. The sittings scheduled for Monday and Tuesday were cancelled.

Wednesday’s sitting proceeded for approximately three hours before Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla concluded the sitting amid the debate on the government-backed Housing Bill submitted by Central Maafannu MP Asma Rasheed.

According to the Speaker, the sitting was shortened to allow time for committee work, with many pending. However, numerous lawmakers had requested the opportunity to debate at the time the sitting was concluded.

“I understand that many lawmakers wish to debate on this bill. Can see from the portal that many lawmakers have requested the opportunity. However, many committee works are ongoing even at present,” he said while adjourning the debate until the next parliamentary sitting.

The Parliament Secretariat did not provide a reason for the cancellation despite the cancellation of several parliamentary sittings over the past few weeks.

However, some lawmakers told Sun that there was not much pending in the Parliament.

Prior to this, opposition MDP lawmakers have attributed the lack of pending work in the Parliament to delays by the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) in sending bills to the legislative body.

Notably, MDP’s South Galolhu MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem had submitted a resolution to the Parliament, raising concern about blocking attempts to summon ministers for questioning and the cancellation of the parliamentary sittings without providing any reason.

The public has always scrutinized the high salaries of lawmakers, citing lawmakers to perform work that justifies the high salary and other benefits they receive.

At present, lawmakers receive a monthly salary of MVR 82,500. In addition to their salaries, lawmakers receive substantial committee allowances, significantly increasing their overall earnings.