Maradhoo MP Ahmed Didi has expressed strong opposition to recent amendments to the Decentralization of Administrative Areas Act, saying the changes give councils only four years to operate independently instead of their full five-year term.
Speaking on a TV program, Didi said the amendments offer no benefits to the public and are intended to impose financial burdens on councils and disrupt administrative work. He explained that councils would be barred from allocating land or recruiting staff if their term had expired for one year.
Didi challenged claims that the reforms aim to prevent election interference, stating the opportunity to address such issues lies with the President. He also refuted accusations that the amendments would increase system costs, noting that councils receive just 5% of the state budget while the central government retains 95%.
He added that some councils save unspent funds from grants to fund major projects, accumulating around one billion MVR collectively, highlighting the government’s financial needs.
Speaking on a TV program, Didi said the amendments offer no benefits to the public and are intended to impose financial burdens on councils and disrupt administrative work. He explained that councils would be barred from allocating land or recruiting staff if their term had expired for one year.
Didi challenged claims that the reforms aim to prevent election interference, stating the opportunity to address such issues lies with the President. He also refuted accusations that the amendments would increase system costs, noting that councils receive just 5% of the state budget while the central government retains 95%.
He added that some councils save unspent funds from grants to fund major projects, accumulating around one billion MVR collectively, highlighting the government’s financial needs.
