Maldives bars govt contracts with senior state officials
The regulation also sets out the standard for business transactions in such cases.
By
Ahmed Mizyal
The Ministry of Finance has issued rules prohibiting the government from having any business dealings with those connected to some senior government officials.
The Ministry of Finance issued the 'Rules on Conducting Business Transactions with Persons Related to Public Employees' on Thursday.
Business transactions with persons related to civil servants are permitted through the methods described in the rule. However, the rule states that no business transaction can be conducted with a person connected to some senior officials.
They are:
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The most senior employee in charge of running a procurement department
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The chief employee of a finance department
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The most senior employee of a department concerned with procurement
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Executive-level employees who authorise procurement
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Members of Bid Committee and other Committees on Procurement
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Persons evaluating or assessing a bid or tender or the person assisting in the assessment or the members of a committee doing so
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Financially responsible head or Secretary General
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A person (including consultants and relevant experts) who participates in or assists in the preparation of bid documents or tender documents.
The Government may enter into a business transaction with such persons only after obtaining written permission from the Ministry of Finance in case of emergency as provided for in the Finance Act and the Finance Regulations.
Otherwise, business transactions with other public servants may be conducted only with written permission prior to the commencement of the transaction.
The rule also sets out the standard for business transactions in such cases. They include:
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The total value of the business transaction up to MVR 35,000 shall be allowed by the financially responsible person or a person authorised by him in writing to perform such responsibility
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MVR 35,000 - 5,000,000 will be approved by the bid committee
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Transactions above MVR 5 million will be approved by the National Tender Board
