Parliament has passed a supplementary budget proposed after the state's expenses could not be covered by the budget approved for this year.
When the budget was put to a vote at today's sitting, 57 MPs voted in favor and 10 MPs voted against.
The government sought approval for a budget of MVR 6 billion in addition to the MVR 42.8 billion approved for the year. The budget would reach MVR 49.3 billion by the end of the year, the government estimated.
The budget committee approved the supplementary budget with an amendment to allocate funding for the media as pledged by the new government.
Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MPs proposed the amendment during the committee stage after President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu asked for the funds to be arranged in next year's state budget.
The committee approved a budget of MVR 6.5 million for the media.
The amendment proposed providing MVR 6.5 million under budget code 1265 of the special budget to media outlets and registered broadcasting service providers.
Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer had responded to allegations about the supplementary budget having been submitted unlawfully.
The budget approved for this year has not been exhausted with MVR 40.4 billion spent out of MVR 42.8 billion, the minister said.
The budget was therefore submitted in accordance with the law, he said.
