Author: Minivan News

Three arrested for smoking in public during fasting hours

Three men were arrested yesterday (June 29) in the capital Malé for smoking in public during fasting hours on the first day of Ramadan, police have revealed.

While a 23-year-old man was caught smoking near the Raanbaa restaurant around 10:20am, a second 23-year-old was caught smoking near the Redwave Plaza around 11:50am.

The third suspect, aged 34, was caught smoking inside the public toilets near the fish market around 5:45pm.

Police noted that all three men had criminal records for drug abuse, assault, and robbery.

In January, the Criminal Court fined a man MVR150 for drinking a Coca-cola in public during fasting hours in the month of Ramadan in 2011.

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MP Musthafa donates flour, sugar, and rice to constituents

Ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) MP Mohamed Musthafa has donated a bag of rice, flour and sugar to every household in his constituency for Ramadan.

Musthafa told local media the MVR300,000 worth of donations was intended to help his constituents in Thimarafushi and Veymandoo Islands in Thaa Atoll.

“I do this every year. Before I gave them money. But this time instead of money, I gave them staples so they can use it for Ramadan,” Musthafa told Channel News Maldives (CNM).

He said a majority of Maldivians continue to live in poverty without basic necessities. MPs must take care of their constituents, he said.

Although the public think salaries and benefits of MPs to be excessive, “it is nothing compared to all that the [MPs] have to do,” Musthafa said adding that most MPs are not able to live on their salaries.

The monthly salary of a Maldivian MP is US$7,083 – a figure considerably higher than their counterparts in many developed countries.

Musthafa claimed an MP makes MVR3.5 million (US$22,6537) in each term and said “One has to spend much more than that to even get into the Majlis.”

MP for Thaa Atoll Guraidhoo, Hassan Manik Dhon Manik also donated staples to the needy in his constituency.

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Some schools ignore government’s Ramadan instructions

Some schools in have continued holding classes for grade 9 and under, despite instructions from the Education Minsitry to stop lessons during Ramadan, reports Haveeru.

Local teachers told Haveeru that extra classes have been arranged after consultations between parents and teachers amid fears that the extended break would prevent the completion of the syllabus.

Instances of classes continuing were reported in Gaafu Dhaalu and Lhaviyani atolls.

With less than seven days’ notice, the government last week announced that school sessions would not be held for students in grades 9 and under during the month of Ramadan.

The regulations also said that school sessions for grades 10 to 12 should begin after 9am and should last a duration of three hours per day.

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India provides 74 scholarships to Maldivian students

India will provide scholarships for 74 Maldivian nationals to study in India for the 2014-2015 academic year.

The scholarships will be provided under a number of different schemes including the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), which involves all university level under-graduate and post-graduate courses in Arts, Science, Engineering, Commerce, Business Administration and Law.

The Indian High Commission in Malé has described the response to the offer as “overwhelming”:

“The grant of 39 scholarships every year to Maldivian students is an important positive step forward in strengthening and promoting our cultural ties with Maldives, and it also adds another new dimension to the already warm and friendly relations between the two countries, based on mutual trust and understanding,” read a high commission press release.

Noting the longstanding educational links between the two countries, the press release said that 5,530 Maldivians have now completed the Technology Adoption Project launched in 2011 – including 3.053 teacher certifications, 1,674 youth certifications, 803 in ICT related courses.

17 of the ICCR scholarships – which cover all expenses, including international air passages, board, lodging, and internal transport – have already been awarded, with the rest currently being processed.

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Fisheries minister to appear before Majlis for questioning

The minister of fisheries and agriculture has been summoned to the People’s Majlis to answer questions regarding government policy in Addu City, local media has reported.

Dr Mohamed Shainee is said to be appearing upon request of the Maldivian Democratic Party MP for Addu-Meedhoo Rozaina Adam, who also summoned the housing minister for similar questions last week.

The 2008 constitution empowers any member of the Majlis to summon any member of the government or cabinet to parliament for questioning, although the appearance of the Housing Minister Dr Mohamed Muiz last week was the first such instance in more than two years.

The opposition expressed concern regarding the Majlis’ oversight capabilities after disputes over the composition of key standing committees, although a compromise was reached last week.

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MIRA collected MVR11.4 million in illegal parking fines in 2013

The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) collected MVR 11.4 million (US$0.7 million) in illegal parking fines in 2013.

This year, MIRA had collected MVR6.3 million (US$0.4 million) in illegal parking fines at the end of May.

MIRA collected MVR 6.9 million and MVR 6.2 million in 2012 and 2011 respectively.

Illegal parking carries an MVR250 for the first offense, MVR500 for the second offense and MVR750 for the third offense.

Drivers frequently complain of lack of parking space on Malé.

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MTCC introduces new Hulhumalé – Malé ferry schedule for Ramadan

Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has introduced two new ferries and increased ferry services between Malé and suburb Hulhumalé during peak hours for the month of Ramdan.

According to the new ferry schedule, ferries will run every five minutes between 8:15am – 9:10am and 2:00 pm and 2:20 pm on workdays, and between 10am – 11:15am and 2pm – 2:20pm on weekends.

At other times, ferries will depart every 15 minutes.

Residents of Hulhumalé have complained about delay and overcrowding on ferries.

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Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse arrives in the Maldives

President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapakse and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapakse arrived in the Maldives on an official visit this afternoon.

President of the Maldives Abdulla Yameen greeted the Rajapakses on arrival at the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA).

A bugle call was sounded on Rajapakse’s arrival in Malé and a 21 gun salute was offered. The Maldives National Defense Forces (MNDF) offered a guard of honor on his arrival.

According to the Maldives President’s Office, Yameen and Rajapakse held official talks on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The two countries signed three agreements on health cooperation, economic development and search and rescue operations.

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Swell waves flood Thimarafushi airport runway

The Thaa Atoll Thimarafushi Airport runway has been hit by high swell waves.

According to Thimarafushi Council President Hussein Shareef, waves flooded approximately 150- 250 foot along the runway and covered it with waste.

The airport fence was also destroyed, he said.

Only one flight was scheduled out of Thimarafushi today. The flight departed at 9:40 am before the waves hit.

According to Channel News Maldives (CNM), part of Rathafandhoo Island in southern Gaaf Dhall atoll also was also flooded with swell waves this morning.

Islanders told CNM that water had come up to one feet in some areas and an area measuring 700 foot on the north eastern side of the island.

Several islands in the Maldives have reported flooding from swell or udha waves since the onset of the wet season in June.

Udha is a common phenomenon in the Maldives, particularly during the south-west monsoon, and is often associated with changes in ‘Nakaiy’ – the fortnightly intervals of the Maldives’ unique weather calendar.

A local environmentalist familiar with the Nakaiy system said Udha waves are connected to the moon, gravity, and changes in winds and said it is a completely normal natural phenomenon but that it could harm islands which are already eroding.

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