Saleem to lead Budget Committee, Fazad as vice chairperson

Parliament’s Deputy Speaker and Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem from ruling PNC has been appointed Chairperson of the committee responsible for reviewing the government’s proposed MVR 59.7 billion budget for next year, alongside PNC’s Central Fuvahmulah MP Ali Fazad as Vice Chairperson.

The Budget Committee unanimously approved the appointments of Saleem, who also chairs the Public Accounts Committee, and Fazad, who heads the Economic Affairs Committee. Their nominations were proposed by PNC’s Funadhoo MP Mohamed Mamdhooh Yoonus, and seconded by PNC’s Kelaa MP Abdulla Shareef. No other nominations were submitted for either position.

Saleem and Fazad served as Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the committee which was tasked with reviewing this year’s budget.

Wednesday’s committee meeting was adjourned as Parliament proceeded with the no-confidence motion against Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed.

The proposed MVR 59.7 billion budget for next year is approximately MVR 4 billion lower than this year’s record budget of MVR 64.2 billion. However, despite the reduction in the overall budget, recurrent expenditure — the cost of running the state — is projected to increase.

Recurrent expenditure for next year is estimated at MVR 42.7 billion, representing an increase of MVR 0.2 billion from this year’s projected MVR 42.5 billion. By comparison, recurrent spending stood at MVR 37.4 billion in the previous year.

The health sector has received the largest allocation in next year’s budget, with MVR 10.2 billion earmarked for the sector.

The Parliament’s General Purpose Committee has decided to allocate 15 minutes to each member for the national budget debate, maintaining the same arrangement adopted this year.