Civil servant heads came under fire on Wednesday after a ruling party lawmaker accused them of impeding the policies and mandate of the government.
Government is seeking to amend the civil service act in order force the civil service body to consult ministers before appointing permanent secretaries.
Ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) MP Abdul Latheef Mohamed proposed the amendment saying that closer collaboration between ministers and civil servant heads would mean better service for the public.
Latheef said some permanent secretaries had continuously impeded the functions of ministers and blocked the execution of government policies.
The actions of some permanent secretaries have made it difficult for the government to provide services to the people, he added.
"We've notice various conflict of opinions, disagreements and disputes. So I'm hoping that this amendment would resolve that issue," the Dhidhdhoo constituency MP told the parliament sitting on Wednesday.
Permanent secretaries are presently appointed directly by the civil service commission.
But if the proposed amendment is passed, the civil service body must consult with the minister before appointing a civil servant head to a respective ministry.