Minister calls for legal solution to free land distribution
He stated that changing this policy is not within his sole authority.
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Construction Minister Dr Abdulla Muththalib on Monday called on Members of Parliament (MPs) to seek a legal solution to the issue of free land distribution for residential purposes in the future.
Muththalib made the request in response to a question posed by PNC MP Ibrahim Naseem during the House session today.
Naseem questioned: “The free distribution of land is not done anywhere in the world except in the Maldives. It does not provide a permanent solution to housing. The rule should be changed to provide flats in housing units on a long-term basis. Do you have such a mindset?”
In his reply, Muththalib acknowledged that the free allocation of land for residential purposes is a unique policy in the Maldives. However, he stated that changing this policy is not within his sole authority.
“If that is to be changed, it must be done through amendments to the law,” Muththalib explained.
“It may be difficult to move forward in a permanent manner. So, I think it is very important to find a solution through Parliament and through law.”
During the previous MDP government, former Planning Minister Mohamed Aslam also addressed the issue in Parliament, stating that free land allocation should come to an end. Aslam further noted that the policy of providing free land in rural areas could not be sustained long-term.
However, the previous government introduced the ‘Binveriya’ scheme, which continued the provision of free land to citizens.
