No intention to cancel Police allowances, medical scheme to be reviewed: Shifan

Police Spokesperson and Assistant Commissioner of Police Ahmed Shifan has said that there are no plans to cancel any allowances currently being provided to Police Officers. However, in a bid to reduce expenses, Police medical insurance scheme will be reviewed, he said.

In a post on social media X yesterday, Shifan said that the 'scheme will be restructured to ensure accountability and effectiveness'.

While Shifan has said this, the government has included in next year's budget plans to transfer Police and MNDF to a private insurance scheme due to high expenses currently being made on the existing schemes, which offer uncapped coverage to officers and their families.

The current scheme also covers cosmetic procedures and other services that are not covered under Aasandha.

This year alone, MVR 322 million has been spent on Police and MNDF medical schemes. The government's aim is to provide insurance through a dedicated package from a private insurance company, and in doing so, decrease expenditure.

These changes are set to come into effect early next year.

The audit report also shows that spending on MNDF and Police medical welfare scheme was 35 percent over the determined budget last year. The audit office said that the budget included an allocation of MVR 179 million for additional insurance, but the actual figures reached MVR 241 million by year end.