Committee approves MVR 64bn budget without changes

Parliament’s Budget Review Committee on Wednesday approved the MVR 64 billion state budget for next year without any changes to the total figure.

Although the committee endorsed the full budget amount, several minor amendments proposed by members of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) were approved. Committee Chair and Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem said a number of institutions had requested adjustments to their allocations, but the Ministry of Finance had advised that such changes could not be accommodated.

“There will be large expenditures next year, and some institutions are requesting additional funds,” Saleem said. He noted that the ministry has agreed to allocate an additional MVR 3.5 million on top of the budget submitted to the Parliamentary Office.

Saleem said the Finance Ministry informed the committee that budget shortfalls faced by independent institutions would be met through the special budget. He added that the ministry had also committed to using the special budget to manage constraints in other areas.

As part of committee recommendations, Hithadhoo South MP Ibrahim Nazil proposed increasing allocations from the special budget for fishermen and farmers. The proposal was not passed.

The Finance Ministry confirmed that the revenue and grant estimates—totalling MVR 40 billion—were approved. Key figures in the 2026 budget include:

The budget will now move to the full Parliament for final debate and approval.