Committee names Saleem, Fazad to lead 2026 budget review

The Parliamentary Budget Review Committee for next year has appointed Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem as Chair and Central Fuvahmulah MP Ali Fazad as Deputy Chair.

The appointments were unanimously approved during Thursday’s meeting of the committee. The nominations for the two positions were proposed by Funadhoo MP Mohamed Mamdooh and seconded by Faresmaathoda MP Ashraf Rasheed.

The committee is scheduled to complete its review of the proposed 2026 State Budget by 19 November.

According to the budget proposal submitted to Parliament, the total expenditure for 2026 is set at MVR 64 billion.

Estimated government revenue includes MVR 31.3 billion from taxes and MVR 8.7 billion from other sources. In addition, MVR 373.6 million is expected from grants, bringing the total revenue to MVR 40.4 billion.

The government projects total expenditure of MVR 49.2 billion, resulting in a budget deficit of MVR 8.8 billion. Recurrent expenditure accounts for 62 percent of total spending, equivalent to MVR 39.9 billion.

The Parliament’s General Committee has decided that each member will receive 22 minutes to speak during the upcoming budget debate.

Thursday’s meeting concluded with an announcement that the Budget Committee will reconvene on Tuesday to continue its work.