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Finance Ministry to issue PPM funds after settling govt employees' salaries

Fathmath Shaahunaz
29 April 2019, MVT 12:54
Former President Abdulla Yameen (C) pictured with senior officials of PPM at the party's 2018 Congress. PHOTO/MIHAARU
Fathmath Shaahunaz
29 April 2019, MVT 12:54

Ministry of Finance informed Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) that the party would receive its withheld funds after the government settled the salaries and Ramadan allowances of state employees.

In a letter to PPM, the Finance Ministry stated that the funds will be issued to the party after the salaries of government employees are settled for the month of April. The ministry did not specify a date.

The ministry informed the opposition party, along with the Elections Commission (EC), of this decision after PPM filed a lawsuit at the Civil Court over the withheld funds earlier this month.

Based on the number of party members, a total of MVR 18 million was allocated for PPM in 2018's state budget. However, EC had revealed that the funds were withheld due to court cases filed against PPM regarding party conduct at the time.

The case filed by a member of the party sought to reinstate former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom as PPM's president after dismissing former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom from the position. The Supreme Court ruled the case in favour of Yameen.

While the EC had requested Finance Ministry to issue the funds to PPM following the conclusion of this case, the ministry did not do so.

After filing the lawsuit against the Finance Ministry, PPM revealed that the party was in debt due to the actions of the ministry, claiming that PPM would have a surplus if the funds were granted.

Among PPM's pending debts is a contract for MVR 4.8 million PPM signed with Island Aviation Services Ltd (IAS) for the transportation of party members during the presidential election campaigns of 2018. The party paid MVR 1 million following complaints submitted to EC by Island Aviation over PPM's failure to repay the agreed amount. PPM is yet to settle the pending amount.

Moreover, local telecom firm Dhiraagu has disconnected the party's official phone lines over failure to pay phone bills as well.

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