MVR 187m proposed as 2024 budget for parliament secretariat

A budget of MVR 187 million has been proposed for the functioning of parliament for next year.

The general committee of parliament held a meeting on Monday to review the parliament secretariat's budget for next year.

Head of Administration Ahmed Faiz Mohmmed told the committee members that the parliament is expected to spend MVR 187 million next year. They include:

Faiz said the secretariat's budget is usually submitted to the finance ministry after consulting the committee. However, it has now submitted the budget to the ministry due to the recent deadlock sparked by disagreements on reconstituting the committees, he added.

In addition to the budget for next year, a maximum of MVR 5 million was proposed for a component called New Policy Investigation, but the amount has now been reduced to MVR 4.2 million in consultation with the finance ministry, he said. Faiz said the budget would be confirmed after consultation with the President's Office and the ministry.

According to the Elections Commission, six seats will be added with next year's parliamentary elections, pushing the total number of MPs from 87 to 93.