MDP PG Leader Ibrahim Nazil has criticized the government’s proposal to reduce the number of councilors, saying the move is not made in good faith.
Speaking at a press conference held by the MDP PG, Nazil questioned the government’s stated reason to cut councilors in order to ease budgetary burdens. He pointed out that the proposed reduction would only save around MVR 80 million—an amount he compared to the approximately MVR 70 million the government spends on lighting Eid decorations in islands during the two Eid festivals annually.
Nazil argued that decentralization was intended to reform governance and empower local communities. However, he said, whenever a government other than the MDP takes office, the decentralization system suffers setbacks and regresses.
In contrast, the Local Governance Minister has announced that no new lights was purchased for this year’s Eid celebrations.
Speaking at a press conference held by the MDP PG, Nazil questioned the government’s stated reason to cut councilors in order to ease budgetary burdens. He pointed out that the proposed reduction would only save around MVR 80 million—an amount he compared to the approximately MVR 70 million the government spends on lighting Eid decorations in islands during the two Eid festivals annually.
Nazil argued that decentralization was intended to reform governance and empower local communities. However, he said, whenever a government other than the MDP takes office, the decentralization system suffers setbacks and regresses.
In contrast, the Local Governance Minister has announced that no new lights was purchased for this year’s Eid celebrations.
