Judges and members of independent commissions cannot be paid higher salaries this month as approved by Parliament, the Finance Ministry has said.
Parliament approved pay hikes for judges, local councillors and members of other independent institutions on February 28.
However, the Finance Ministry informed the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) and some independent bodies that it might not be able to pay salaries on time if changes are to be implemented this month in line with the new pay structure passed by Parliament.
Despite the inability to pay the hiked salaries this month, the Finance Ministry has instructed offices to include the increment in next month's salary. Salaries should be paid in accordance with the new structure next month after administrative processes are completed, the Finance Ministry said.
The pay hike for judges accounts for the largest increase in expenditure on the wage bill, Adhadhu has learned. The salary increment for judges is estimated to cost more than MVR 12 million.
Despite judges and independent commissions not being paid under the new structure, local councillors will be paid the higher salary this month. The Local Government Authority (LGA), the oversight body for councils, has instructed all councils to pay salaries in line with the new structure.
