Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) on Saturday, noted that the budget proposed by the Ministry of Finance from the 2021 state budget would hinder the watchdog's ability to carry out its mandate.
During a meeting tabled by the Parliament's Budget Committee, HRCM revealed that it had previously requested for MVR 30 million for the following year as opposed to the MVR 24 million proposed by the state.
HRCM Member Moominaa Waheed said the amount was only enough to cover recurrent expenditures such as salaries and rent, adding that more funds were needed to fulfil its tasks.
Moomina further urged the state to assign a government plot for the institution as the reduced burden of rent would significantly improve HRCM's functioning.
Moreover, Information Commissioner Hussain Fiyaz Moosa, who was also in attendance at the committee meeting, said there was no "breathing room" due to the proposed budget for the Information Commission of Maldives (ICOM).
" The current situation is clear. If there were an increase, I request the expansion of our budget in whatever ratio proposed [by the state]", said Commissioner Fiyaz.
The committee will compile a report on its findings and suggest amendments to the proposed budget before Parliament deliberates over the matter.
Maldives estimates a shortfall of approximately USD 450 million (MVR 6.9 billion) in foreign currency and a state deficit of MVR 13 billion in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the tourism industry.
In mid-April, the World Bank projected that Maldives would be the worst-hit economy in the South Asian region due to the pandemic.
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