Parliament of Maldives has commenced deliberations on the Amendment Bill to the Decentralisation Act submitted by the Government of Maldives.
The amendments proposed by the administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih are mainly focused on realising the hopes and dreams of the people by granting better access to resources to ensure regional sustainable development and empowerment to local councils; it will be achieved through the devolution of powers reflecting on financial liberalisation and assuring revenue mechanisms to warrant sustainable development and empowerment.
The administration, through its proposal, seeks the development of regional hubs, create more jobs and business opportunities, increase the productivity of the islands and rectify the pressing issue of overcrowding in the Greater Malé Region. It also seeks to earmark five per cent of the annual budget to local councils and accord powers to generate revenue using the resources available in its jurisdiction.
Other means proposed in the amendments to ensure the financial stability of the local councils also include allocating 40% of revenue from leasing land, islands and lagoons, and 100% of the revenue generated from land and other resources in the direct jurisdiction of the council. All Public Sector Investment Programmes (PSIP) under USD 324,500 is also proposed to fall under local councils as sectoral grants.
The administration also proposed to amend the roles and regulations of local councils including fixing the term of local councils to five years, and ensuring that women fill one-third of all council seats. Mayors of city councils and presidents and vice presidents of local councils are also proposed to be elected through a public vote.