Ex-MPs' allowances cost over MVR 35 million in 10 years
Under the Privileges and Powers of Parliament Act, passed in 2013, former MPs are entitled to service allowances and other benefits.
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The government has spent MVR 35.1 million on financial allowances for former members of Parliament over the past ten years, official figures show.
The information, obtained under the Access to Information Act, was made public on X on Sunday. The data indicate that both the number of former MPs entitled to allowances and the overall expenditure have increased each year.
From 2014 to 2024, the state spent MVR 17.6 million on allowances for one-term members and MVR 17.5 million on allowances for two-term members. The number of one-term beneficiaries increased from two in 2014 to 37 in 2023, while two-term recipients grew from three in 2014 to 22 last year.
Annual expenditure rose from MVR 590,818 in 2014 for five members to MVR 7.7 million in 2024 for 59 members. The yearly figures were:
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2014: MVR 590,818 (five members)
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2015: MVR 1.1 million (seven members)
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2016: MVR 1.4 million (eight members)
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2017: MVR 1.4 million (eight members)
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2018: MVR 1.4 million (eight members)
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2019: MVR 2.9 million (21 members)
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2020: MVR 4.2 million (23 members)
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2021: MVR 3.9 million (24 members)
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2022: MVR 4.5 million (27 members)
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2023: MVR 5.5 million (37 members)
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2024: MVR 7.7 million (59 members)
In addition to service allowances, former MPs receive MVR 24,000 per month for health insurance. As of 2024, the government had spent MVR 18.9 million on health insurance for former members.
Under the Privileges and Powers of Parliament Act, passed in 2013, former MPs are entitled to service allowances and other benefits. Those who served one term receive 30 per cent of an MP’s salary, while two-term members receive 45 per cent. The allowance becomes payable after leaving office and reaching the qualifying age. Former MPs are also entitled to health insurance equivalent to sitting MPs and an official passport.
In 2022, Attorney General Ahmed Usham proposed amending the law to remove provisions granting allowances to former members, arguing they were disproportionate compared with benefits provided to other public servants. However, the amendment was rejected by the then MDP majority in Parliament.
