Govt limits Eid lighting to 5 cities to reduce expenditure
Khaleel said the cabinet had decided that lighting would not be installed across all islands this year.
The government has decided to limit decorative lighting for Eid al-Fitr to five cities as part of measures to reduce state expenditure amid the economic impact of the conflict in the Middle East.
Foreign Minister Dr Abdulla Khaleel announced the decision during a press conference held by the cabinet committee formed to address the economic effects of the conflict Thursday.
Journalists at the briefing asked whether the government would suspend decorative lighting for Eid due to the cost involved.
Khaleel said the cabinet had decided that lighting would not be installed across all islands this year.
“The Eid-al-Fitr lighting will not be carried out across all islands at this time. It will be conducted only in the five cities of the Maldives, and only at certain locations within those areas,” he said.
According to the minister, the measure was introduced to reduce expenditure.
The cities designated for Eid lighting are the Greater Malé region, Addu City, Fuvahmulah City, Thinadhoo and Kulhudhuffushi.
The initiative to decorate islands with lighting during Eid was a campaign pledge of President Mohamed Muizzu.
Under the plan, lighting displays were to be expanded gradually to more islands each year.
Government figures show that about MVR 28 million was spent on decorative lighting for Eid celebrations last year.
