Malé City Council takes govt to court over transfer of 14 plots

Malé City Council has filed a case with the Civil Court challenging the government's decision to take over 14 plots of land under the council's jurisdiction, alleging that the transfers were carried out in violation of the law.

The plots include Artificial Beach and several other areas previously administered by the council.

The Ministry of Housing has said the land was transferred to the government to undertake infrastructure development projects, provide public services and improve facilities required by residents of the Greater Malé area.

However, speaking at the council's general meeting on Wednesday, Deputy Mayor Meekail Mohamed Riyaaz said the council had not received details of the projects planned for the plots.

He said that although the government had cited development projects as the reason for transferring the land, it had not provided information explaining how the plots would be used.

The ministry had also provided an opportunity to submit complaints or comments regarding the transfers, but Meekail said the council could not respond without receiving information about the proposed developments.

"We have not received a response to any of the letters we sent requesting this information," Meekail said while presiding over Wednesday's meeting.

He said the council had decided to seek legal intervention because the procedures required under land-related legislation had not been followed.

"Therefore, as the procedures required under the relevant land laws have not been completed, we have submitted a case to the court today seeking an interim order," he said.

The council is seeking an interim injunction in connection with the transfer of the plots.

During Wednesday's meeting, councillors also raised concerns that the government had stopped providing the monthly block grant allocated to Malé City Council following the transfer of the land.

Speaking at a council meeting last week, Mayor Adam Azim said the government had withheld MVR 74 million in block grant funding owed to the council over the preceding three months.

Councillors reiterated their concerns on Wednesday, warning that the funding cuts could affect the council's ability to provide services to residents.

The council has maintained that the land transfers were carried out without completing the required legal procedures and that the government has not provided sufficient information about the intended use of the plots.

The Civil Court has been asked to issue an interim order while the dispute over the land transfers is addressed.