President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said today that he has decided not to make any further appointments to top political posts in order to reduce government expenditure.
Delivering his first presidential address, the President said such appointments would only be made under exceptional circumstances in the future. However, he did not explain the exceptions or provide any details.
"Likewise, in order to reduce the government's expenses, I have decided not to appoint any more people to senior political posts, aside from exceptional situations," the President said.
The President's announcement comes with more than 163 people appointed as deputy ministers as of last week.
Deputy ministers earn MVR 35,500 a month as salary and allowances. At that rate, the government would spend MVR 5.7 million a month and MVR 69.4 million a year on their wages.
The number of state ministers and appointees at the same rank in this government is 91. State ministers earn MVR 47,000 a month as salary and allowances. Expenditure on their wage bill would be MVR 4.2 million a month and MVR 51 million a year.
In addition, there are a total of 42 ministers including 22 ministers in the cabinet and 20 individuals appointed at the rank of minister. Ministers earn MVR 66,000 as salary and allowances. Their wage bill amounts to MVR 2.7 million a month and MVR 33 million a year.
There are more than 300 people in deputy minister and higher-ranking posts. Before coming to power, President Muizzu said political posts would not exceed 700.
