More political appointees in agriculture ministry than cats in state facility!

May 14, 2025, 10:50 AM
Mariya. -- Photo: President's Office

Mariya. -- Photo: President's Office

The number of political employees in the Agriculture Ministry, which manages the Olhu Hiya cat facility in Hulhumale', is more than the number of cats in the facility.

Agriculture Minister Maryam Mariya attended the People's Majlis this morning and said there were 30 cats in the facility.

She also said there were 48 political employees in the ministry.

The public has been complaining as the stray cats in Male' have not been taken to the facility despite its inauguration several months ago.

Mariya said the facility does not have the resources to look after all the stray cats and a special law must be passed to do this work properly.

She further highlighted the high cost of taking care of the cats.

She said the state will face a monthly cost of MVR 700,000 if there were 2000 cats at the shelter.

"[It] will cost MVR 10.8 million per year. From the total budget of the facility, MVR 368 will be spent on each cat every month. And from the total budget of the facility, MVR 5,416 will be spent on each cat every year."

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