Fahi Union flags false info in flat denial letters

Fahi Union has said today that there are some false claims in the letters sent by the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure to persons on the list of 4000 Gedhoruveriya flat recipients informing them that they are no longer eligible as they have not resided in Male' for 15 consecutive years.

Fahi Union advocates for the rights of the recipients of flats under the Gedhoruveriya scheme.

Speaking at a press conference held today, lawyer Ali Hussain said that some have received letters stating they are not eligible for flats as they have not lived in Male' for 15 consecutive years. He claims that the ministry had failed to verify information before sending these letters.

He brought up the example of teacher at a Male' school. The letter sent to the teacher claims that they had worked in a school in Thaa atoll from 2012 to 2017, and that this school has been depositing pension for them as well.

"But it was only through that letter that the teacher even realized there is an island by that name. They had never heard of it before," Ali Hussain said.

He said that when a copy of the letter had been sent to the school, the school had confirmed that the teacher had never worked there. The Pension Office also stated that the school has not deposited pension for this teacher.

"No persons with that ID card has worked at this school. Pension Office also said no, there are no reports that this money was paid. The letters are being sent without proper verification, with false information," Ali Hussain said.

He further alleged that this was being done by persons within the ministry who do not approve of the current minister. He called for this to be looked into, and proper action taken.

Ali Hussain went on to say that now, persons who travel to other islands for work are also being deemed ineligible. He maintains that this is illogical, stating that many professions require travel to the atolls, such as doctors, nurses, principals, MNDF and Police personnel. He said that although they travel for work, their families continue to reside in Male'.

One such case that he mentioned was that of a nurse who has lived in Male' since she was 13 years of age.

She had temporarily shifted to the island she hails from when she had to abruptly vacate the residence she was staying in in Male' and worked at the island's health center. Even at this time, her husband had continued to live in Male', Ali Hussain said. After about a year, arrangements had been made and the nurse, too, returned to Male'.

"But the Housing Ministry claims that this has interrupted the 15 consecutive years she needs to have lived in Male'," Ali Hussain said.

He stated that under current laws, a person who resides in a place for five years can registered as a resident. Therefore, a person living on an island for less than five years do not legally qualify as a resident.

Fahi Union calls for the flats to be handed over to the recipients on the list compiled by the previous administration. The incumbent government has now decided to grant the flats to those on the November 2023 list, excluding those who fail to meet the criteria.