Faisal sole ex-VP eligible for State allowance

Should the bill of amendments proposing a State allowance for former Vice Presidents be passed in parliament, only Faisal Naseem, who served as Vice President in the last Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) administration, will be deemed eligible. 

The bill was submitted on behalf of the government by ruling People's National Congress (PNC) MP Mohamed Shahid. The bill's first hearing was held in today's parliament sitting. 

Amendments in the proposed bill include granting a monthly allowance of MVR 25,000 to former vice presidents. It also calls for medical treatment to be provided both in-country and abroad. 

However, as per the bill, vice presidents must have served a full five year term as per the Constitution to be eligible for the benefits. 

Under this, only Faisal would be eligible for the allowance, as he is the only Vice President yet to have served the full five year term. 

Former Vice Presidents Mohamed Waheed, Mohamed Waheeddeen (Deen), Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, Abdulla Jihad and Ahmed Adeeb all were unable to serve the full term for various reasons. Hence, if the amendment is passed, none of these past vice presidents will be eligible for the benefits. 

Under the Former Presidents' Protection and Benefits Act, a president convicted of a criminal offence committed while in office will lose all protection and benefits from the time of conviction, as will their spouse. With the proposed inclusion of vice presidents in the Act, the same rule will apply to them. 

The bill further seeks to discontinue the monthly MVR 175,000 allowance for maintaining offices of former presidents, along with associated benefits.