Hinnavaru council to charge fee for residency transfers

The Lh. Hinnavaru Council has decided to introduce a fee for residents seeking to transfer their official residency from the island to another location.

According to the council, the decision was taken in response to concerns over the impact of residency transfers on the island's population figures.

Hinnavaru, which has a population of more than 5,000 people, will begin charging an administrative fee of MVR 2,000 for residency transfers starting next month.

The council said the measure is intended to encourage residents to maintain their official residency on the island and support population growth.

The decision was approved during a council meeting.

Further details on the implementation of the fee have not yet been released.

The move follows a similar policy introduced by the Ga. Thinadhoo Council.

Two years ago, Thinadhoo Council announced a MVR 5,000 fee for residents transferring their official residency from the island.

At the time, the Local Government Authority (LGA) invalidated the decision, stating that the council had not completed the required administrative procedures before introducing the fee.

Following public consultations and the completion of the necessary procedures, Thinadhoo resumed charging the fee last year.

The Hinnavaru Council's decision adds to ongoing discussions among local authorities regarding population management and residency registration on inhabited islands.