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Parliament majority leader lauds state budget as "visionary"

Aishath Mihna Nasih
16 November 2016, MVT 15:58
Nihan speaking PHOTO: Parliament
Aishath Mihna Nasih
16 November 2016, MVT 15:58

Parliament majority leader and parliamentary group leader of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Ahmed Nihan declared that State Budget 2017 is so far the most visionary budget proposed by the government.

He made the remark while speaking at the ongoing parliamentary debate of the state budget late Tuesday.

“This is the clearest and most direct budget proposed till date,” said Nihan, who is the lawmaker of Villimale Constituency.

However, the opposition members described the State budget 2017 as unjust and something that would increase the gap between the rich and the poor. They also claim that the budget lacks important steps planned to hasten the economic growth of the country.

Countering the opposition's opinions, Nihan said the State Budget 2017 aims to provide infrastructural development to the nation, to advance the standard of living, increase economic growth, and provide more job opportunities whilst moving towards a less deficit budget. The state budget 2017 has a deficit of MVR 3.4 million only.

While some opposition lawmakers have criticized that major projects of some constituencies are not included in the budget, Nihan responded that it is the nature of any such budgets. Nihan, who is also the chair of the budget review committee, said he will accept projects proposed by other fellow lawmakers.

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