Maldives’ budget passed

The Maldives’ Parliament passed the 2011 state budget on Thursday including the allocation for the preparatory work of the upcoming SAARC summit.

69 out of 76 members present in Parliament voted in favour of the proposed budget of MRF 12.3 billion, Miadhu reported.

The budget set aside MRF.231 million for the SAARC preparatory work which was also approved in Parliament.

The upcoming South Asian summit is scheduled in the Maldives, in the Addu atoll.

Although there have been no amendment to the total amount of the budget, sub-budgets allocated for infrastructure developments, subsidies were amended, according to Miadhu.

The amendment submitted by FaresMathoda MP Ibrahim Muthalib to transfer of Rf7.1 million from an infrastructure development fund to help the Islamic Ministry with mosque renovation, was passed.

Parliament also approved a recommendation by Kanditheemu MP Mohamed Hussein to prioritize harbour developments projects on merit basis and those islands most in need of, as well as the provision of subsidies for parties providing electricity to areas without powerhouse or utilities companies.

None of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) members made any amendment proposals.