The Male' City Council filed for a temporary injunction at the Civil Court today regarding the government's seizure of 14 land plots previously under the council's jurisdiction, which the administration claims are needed for state development projects.
Deputy Mayor Meekail Mohamed Riyaz said that the case was brought to court because the government failed to follow the mandatory legal procedures outlined in land management laws.
He further noted that the council has formally written to the relevant authorities requesting detailed information on the projects the government intends to carry out on the seized land.
In response to the seizure of these 14 plots, the Male' City Council has scheduled a public consultation meeting for November 5 to discuss the matter with residents.
A letter sent to the council by the Housing Ministry indicated that the order to reclaim the land was issued from the President's Office.
While the Ministry offered the council an opportunity to submit grievances, the council maintains that the government has failed to provide any project details as required under the Decentralisation Act.
The plots seized by the government include some of the most economically and socially significant areas in the capital.
These lands were removed from the council’s jurisdiction following amendments to the Decentralisation Act.
Under Section 56-2 of the amended Act, the government is empowered to reclaim land under a council's jurisdiction for development projects following a decision by the Cabinet.
