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Male' City Council fined for trading without permit

Mohamed Rehan
19 October 2022, MVT 16:10
Male' City council opened "Male' Fehi"; a local retail venture selling plant and plant fertilizers-- Photo: Fayaz Moosa | Mihaaru
Mohamed Rehan
19 October 2022, MVT 16:10

Ministry of Economic Development has fined Male' City Council for trading without acquiring permits.

The council was fined with MVR 10,000.

The ministry's Media Official Ismail Maaiz confirms the council can only conduct business after registering a local authority company, for which it had not complied.

Earlier, the council commenced "Male' Fehi", a retail business selling plants and plant fertilizers without registering the business.

Meanwhile, the ministry has issued a fine chit to the council. Male' City Mayor Dr. Mohamed Muizzu confirms receiving the fine, and claimed this was an irresponsible and politically motivated intervention.

"We are not running [Male' Fehi] like a conventional retail outlet. We are trying to generate revenue to provide services for the public, we are doing public service work here," Dr. Muizzu said.

The mayor further criticized the ministry, questioning why the authority was not after illegally run shops and massage parlors.

Dr. Muizzu also stressed the council had submitted application to the ministry to register the business with necessary plans. The ministry however, had not responded to the council authority, according to the mayor.

He also lambasted the ministry for amending regulations for local businesses, which further narrowed the council's possibility of conducting trade.

However, Dr. Muizzu claims the council authority can run the business without acquiring local authority registration. Moreover, he asserts the authority was not in breach of any regulations.

"We are forced to generate revenue owing to insufficient budget. Law provides us opportunity to seek revenue options, and I don't believe it is right for them [state] to intervene this... they [state] are deliberately blocking the council's progress," the mayor said.

Speaking about "Male' Fehi", Male' City's mayor had claimed the business was well received. He also notes several resort owners communicating with the council authority for partnerships.

The council attracted public criticism upon launching its business. However, Dr. Muizzu affirmed the venture will be beneficial to local SMEs in the same field.

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