Council land bill sent to committee after 30-minute parliamentary debate
One of the main provisions in the proposed amendment would allow the Cabinet to remove land or property from a council's jurisdiction for development.
Parliament on Monday accepted a bill seeking to amend the Decentralisation Act to give the government powers to reclaim land and property under local councils, concluding debate on the legislation on the same day it began.
The bill was introduced to the People's Majlis last Wednesday by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, an independent MP who supports government policies.
Debate on the bill began during Monday's parliamentary sitting.
After about 30 minutes of debate, Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla, who was presiding over the sitting, said no other MPs had requested an opportunity to speak and moved to conclude the debate.
"There are no members present on the floor who have requested to participate in the debate on this bill. Therefore, I will conclude the debate at this point," Abdul Raheem said.
Only two MPs spoke during the debate.
Kendhoo MP Maroof Zakir of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) spoke against the bill, while Hoarafushi MP Ali Moosa of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) spoke in support.
A vote was then taken on whether to accept the bill for further consideration. A total of 55 PNC MPs voted in favour of accepting the legislation.
Following the vote, the bill was referred to Parliament's Decentralisation Committee for review.
Parliamentary debates on bills can continue across several sittings depending on the number of members seeking to participate. In this case, the debate was concluded on the day it began after the Speaker said there were no further requests to speak.
The MP who introduces a bill is also usually given an opportunity to make closing remarks after debate. However, the debate was concluded on Monday without Hannan making closing remarks.
One of the main provisions in the proposed amendment would allow the Cabinet to remove land or property from a council's jurisdiction for government development projects.
Under the bill, once the Cabinet makes such a decision and it is communicated to the council through the Local Government Authority (LGA), the land or property would cease to be under the council and come under state authority.
The bill also proposes requiring councils to hand over land sought for government development projects, including before an island or city's physical development plan is approved and implemented.
It would further require councillors to cooperate with government projects carried out for public benefit and classify the obstruction of such projects without reasonable grounds as prohibited conduct.
Although Hannan is not a member of the PNC, he has previously introduced legislation supported by the administration. This has prompted claims from government critics that some legislation is being introduced through independent MPs rather than being presented as government bills.
The bill has faced opposition from the MDP and sections of the public.
An e-petition seeking the withdrawal of the amendment was submitted to Parliament and opened for public signatures on Sunday, a day before Parliament accepted the bill for committee review.
