Parliament directs ministry to gazette 10-storey Hulhumale housing regulations
Minister Aslam's action was described by the committee as questioning its legal authority.
By
Aman Haleem
Parliamentary regulations committee has approved a directive to the housing ministry to gazette 'Hulhumale Planning and Building Regulations' that allow 10-storey construction on all land allotted to the public for housing in Hulhumale.
On 27 November 2018, the parliament passed a regulation allowing construction of 10 floors in public houses in Hulhumale. However, planning minister Mohamed Aslam refused to gazette the regulations.
HDC has also opposed the new regulations. The reason cited is that Hulhumale is a planned city and there is a fear that if houses are suddenly allowed to rise, the population will increase and infrastructure will be compromised.
Though the planning ministry and HDC disapproved of the rules, the parliamentary rules committee examined the matter and concluded that it was not the prerogative of the minister to refuse to gazette the regulations.
On Thursday, the committee approved a directive to the ministry to send the rules to the President's Office to be gazetted within seven days of parliament's approval of the report.
'HDC can't make rules'
Construction activities in Hulhumale are currently governed by a regulation gazetted by HDC in 2015. According to the rules, even the tallest of public houses in Hulhumale can be constructed to six floors. HDC has been enforcing the rule since then, but it has been taken up parliament:
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The regulations were made under the operating regulations of HDC
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It is not a valid regulation; it does not have legal authority and cannot be enforced
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Attorney General's Office and Parliament Counsel General Fathimath Filza also said that the general regulations act were violated
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Hulhumale Planning and Construction Regulations gazetted by the housing ministry in 2013 can be implemented in Hulhumale
While the issue was being looked into by the regulations committee, Aslam said that he was refusing to gazette the rules on the basis of the consequences in allowing all the houses to 10 floors in height.
"We will definitely oppose allowing the construction of 10 storeys for all housing in Hulhumale," Aslam told the committee.
Aslam's action was described by the committee as questioning its legal authority. The committee's report also pointed out that the minister's actions had the potential to lead to a lack of cooperation from other agencies in implementing the committee's decisions.
The 18th Parliament had framed the regulations for allowing building up to 10 storeys in Hulhumale for its residents. The regulations also include jutting balconies out towards the streets from a particular floor and above in houses.
