Vice President of opposition Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) and Naifaru MP Ahmed Shiyam revealed on Monday that the party submitted a case to Civil Court against Ministry of Finance over withholding the funds allocated for PPM in last year's state budget.
"We requested the funds to be issued for the recent parliamentary elections. The money is still withheld", Shiyam said.
According to Shiyam, administrative operations and various party trips have been affected due to PPM not receiving the funds.
Based on the number of party members, a total of MVR 18 million was allocated for PPM in 2018's budget. However, Elections Commission had revealed that the funds were withheld due to court cases filed against PPM regarding party conduct at the time.
The case filed by a member of the party sought to reinstate former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom as PPM president after dismissing former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom from the position. Supreme Court ruled the case in favour of Yameen.
Elections Commission requested Finance Ministry to issue the party funds to PPM following the conclusion of this case.
However, Finance Ministry did not release the funds and has yet to provide any reasons as to why the money is being withheld.
PPM accused that the party was in debt due to the actions of Finance Ministry, stating that the party would have a surplus if the funds were granted.
An MVR 4.8 million contract was signed between PPM and Island Aviation Services Ltd (IAS) for the transportation of party members during the presidential election campaigns of 2018.
The party paid a total of MVR 1 million following complaints submitted to EC by Island Aviation over PPM's failure to repay the agreed amount. PPM is yet to settle the pending amount.
Moreover, Dhiraagu has disconnected the party's official phone lines over failure to pay phone bills as well.
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