Concern as key details on planned projects missing from budget!

Nov 4, 2024, 8:23 AM
Finance Minister Moosa Zameer.

Finance Minister Moosa Zameer.

Concern has been raised as the proposed state budget for 2025 does not include details of planned works and projects in the atolls

The state budget for 2024 includes the amount for specific projects along with the details of the projects and new policies of the government. In particular, the budget for projects under the Public Sector Infrastructure Program (PSIP) and new policies was included.

However, the budget for 2025 does not contain any such details. A lot of information which was included in the previous budget book was missing from the new budget book. It also does not describe the global financial situation and the financial situation of the Maldives.

Concerns were raised by the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), MPs and councillors. They expressed frustration as the budget does not have any details of the projects to be implemented on the island in 2025.

The Finance Ministry did not officially address their concerns. But a source with information on the matter told Adhadhu that the details were not included in the budget in order to submit it to the Parliament within the deadline.

The source added that the details would be included in the official budget book to be issued later.

The government proposed an MVR 56 billion budget for 2025. The biggest portion of the budget is to be spent on development projects under the PSIP. Revenue is expected to be MVR 39.8 billion.

Every year, after the proposed state budget is presented to parliament, the Finance Ministry uploads all relevant documents to the website budget.mv. However, information related to the budget proposed on Thursday has yet to be uploaded to the website.

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