Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Dhiggaru constituency MP Ahmed Nazim has proposed reducing the number of councilors while increasing their salaries to attract more capable and productive individuals into local governance.

Speaking during the preliminary debate on a motion concerning decentralization, Nazim said the public wants educated, skilled, and effective councilors rather than individuals who merely attend office to mark attendance. He argued that offering adequate pay would motivate educated youth to serve in island communities.

Nazim also questioned the effectiveness of allocating five percent of state revenue to councils as block grants. He said the formula remains unresolved and highlighted that between MVR 1.7 billion and MVR 2.5 billion from last year’s MVR 2.4 billion grant remains unutilized in council accounts, according to Finance Ministry data.

He noted that as state revenue increases, the block grants also rise. However, despite these funds being classified as public money, the government is forced to borrow millions monthly through T-bills and pay interest, as the funds remain untouched.

This year’s budget allocates MVR 1.4 billion in block grants to councils—below the legally mandated amount.