Adhadhu has learnt that the announcement to lease land for industrial purposes in Thilafushi was publicised after issuing lands at cheaper rates to those connected to the government.
The announcement was made in July. A source with information on the matter said about 70 plots of land had been leased at cheap rates to people connected to government officials before making the public announcement.
The lands were provided without announcement but after the submission of a letter. Those who submitted letters got land for MVR 5 per square foot while MVR 8 per square foot is the rate in the public announcement. Other rates for land allocated under the announcement are also twice as high.
Land allocated by letter
- Acquisition Fee: MVR 38.55 per square foot
- CSR: MVR 60 per square foot
- Rent: MVR 5 per square foot
- Duration: 25 years
Land allocated under the announcement
- Acquisition Fee: MVR 60 per square foot
- CSR: MVR 120 per square foot
- Rent: MVR 8 per square foot
- Duration: 25 years
According to these rates, the acquisition fee and CSR for the 5,000 square feet of land obtained through letter is MVR 492,720. MVR 25,000 is the monthly rent.
However, the acquisition fee and CSR for 5,000 square feet of land under the announcement will be MVR 900,000. MVR 40,000 is the monthly rent.
Such transactions are punishable offences under the Prevention and Prohibition of Corruption Act. According to the law, the facilitation of the attainment of undue advantage is a crime.
The punishment for such offences is a maximum of seven years in prison, banishment or house arrest.
