The Local Government Authority (LGA) has prohibited island councils from announcing job vacancies without prior authorization from the authority.
In a letter sent to council presidents signed by LGA CEO Mohamed Nimal, the authority stated that the measure is being implemented as part of the government's expenditure reduction policy. The LGA has banned the recruitment of any staff to councils unless written permission is obtained.
This restriction applies to both newly created and vacant permanent positions funded by the state or council budgets. It also encompasses daily-wage workers and contract employees.
The introduction of this policy follows the ratification of an amendment to the Decentralization Act yesterday, which allows the government to reclaim land within the jurisdiction of island and city councils at its discretion.
Under the amended law, any land or property within a council's jurisdiction can be removed from its ownership following a Cabinet decision to utilize the site for government projects. Such areas will subsequently fall under the full authority of the central government.
Furthermore, councils are now required to hand over land requested by the government for development projects, even if the island's physical development plan has not yet been finalized.
Additional proposed amendments to the Decentralization Act focus on the code of conduct for council members. These changes include provisions that would mandate councilors to provide full cooperation to the national government.
