Budget presentation delayed as Ameer abstains over 'illness'
According to law, the finance minister must submit the estimated budget for next year to Parliament before 1 November each year.
By
Aishath Fareeha Abdulla
The estimated state budget for next year and the supplementary budget motion for this year are scheduled to be presented at 9 am on Monday, but Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer has informed that he cannot attend the sitting due to illness.
Finance Minister Ameer has sent a letter to the Speaker of Parliament, Mohamed Nasheed, saying that he is unable to attend the sitting scheduled to present the 2024 budget in Parliament on Monday due to illness.
The budget for next year is estimated at MVR 49.5 billion.
According to the Finance Act and the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, the Finance Minister must submit the estimated budget for next year to Parliament before 1 November each year.
However, Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer decided not to attend the session scheduled to present the budget. This decision was followed by an advice from the Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath; that no other work could be done in Parliament without a decision on the no-confidence motion first. Therefore, the budget remains unsubmitted.
