Author: Minivan News

BML to issue visa debit cards to all Maldivian customers

Bank of Maldives Pvt Ltd (BML) has announced that it will be issuing visa debit cards to all Maldivian customers from July 2014.

The bank currently only issues the card to holders of dollar accounts at the bank.

The bank stated that while the card will be issued to all Maldivians, students studying abroad will be given higher priority.

Customers using a visa debit card will be allowed to withdraw a maximum of MVR10,000 locally and US$200 from ATMs in foreign countries.

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President’s Office alters Ramadan working hours after Hope for Women complaint

The President’s Office has again adjusted working hours for the Islamic month of Ramadan from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.

The President’s Office had initially set working hours from 10am – 2:30 pm – reduction of 30 minutes from the working day follows a complaint by NGO Hope for Women.

The organisation said the initial working hours did not consider impact on women working in public service.

“In the Maldivian society, domestic responsibilities typically fall on women, with added work during the month of Ramadan for the preparation of the meals for the family in time for breaking fast,” said the NGO.

Women make up a majority in the Maldivian civil service. There are 11,655 women and 8,858 men.

Hope for women also suggested the government’s decision was influenced by the late hour football matches of the ongoing World Cup tournament which it claims is causing many government employs to attend work late.

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President Yameen to honor individuals who commit the Quran to memory

President Abdulla Yameen will award a ‘President’s Medal’ to individuals who commit the Quran, in its entirety, to memory.

The medal will be awarded two individuals at the Republic Day official reception on November 11 this year.

According to the President’s Office, the medal intends to reward individuals who memorise the Quran in its entirety “for their lofty achievement, and to encourage more individuals to undertake this noble feat.”

Yameen’s administration has introduced a number of new awards and restarted awards given out by former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom  – these include the Rehendhi Award which recognizes women for contribution to national development and the Fehifai Award for individuals and organisations for contribution to environmental protection.

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Over MVR100,000 stolen from Ooredoo office

More than MVR100,000 (US$6,485) in cash has been stolen from a safe in the Ooredoo office in Majeedhee Magu, the main thoroughfare of the capital Malé.

According to the police, the theft was reported at 8:25am this morning. No arrests have been made yet.

Earlier this month, police launched a special operation in response to a spike in cases of theft and robbery in the capital.

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Education Ministry in discussion with Malaysian university to train 2,000 teachers

The Ministry of Education has revealed plans to train 2,000 local teachers in collaboration with Malaysia’s Open University.

Education Minister Aishath Shiham said at a  press conference today that the ministry was in talks with the Open University to conduct training programmes for head teachers and principals, adding that she expected the training to commence in the near future.

The ministry’s aim was to enable teachers with diplomas or first degrees to achieve higher qualifications, she said. This would have a positive impact on students, she added.

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Two persons arrested for theft

Maldives Police Services have announced that they have recovered part of MVR 50,000 stolen from an individual’s safe in the island of Madifushi in Thaa Atoll.

According to police, the underage daughter of the safe’s owner stole the money and gave it to her partner.

Police have arrested two Maldivian men aged 18 and 22. The 22 year old is reported to have a previous record of robbery and drug abuse. The men were arrested from a boat that arrived in Malé on Wednesday morning (June 18).

Police said they discovered MVR 27,000 from the 22 year old’s baggage and another MVR 3,300 from his wallet.

“While being questioned, the 22 year old man confessed that the money was given to him by his romantic partner on his request. He further stated that he has spent some of the stolen money, and hidden away MVR 15,000 on Madifushi,” police stated.

Police added that since the female accomplice is under the age of 18, she will be questioned in the presence of representatives from the Gender and Family Protection Unit.

Police have now recovered and returned a total of MVR 45,700 from the stolen MVR 50,000 to its owner.

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Bill on construction and infrastructure development released for public comments

The Attorney General’s Office has released the draft bill on construction and infrastructure development for public comments on Thursday, 19 June.

Interested persons are required to submit comments in writing by July 6, according to an announcement on the AG Office website.

A copy of the bill, consisting of a 102 articles, is currently available on the website.

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President Yameen abolishes Transport Ministry

President Abdulla Yameen has abolished the Ministry of Transport and Communication last week and transferred its functions to other ministries.

According to the President’s Office, “regional airports will be under the administration of the Ministry of Tourism, Transport Authority will come under Ministry of Economic Development, and Communication Authority of Maldives will be administered by Ministry of Home Affairs.”

In the wake of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives severing its coalition agreement with the Jumhooree Party last month, President Yameen dismissed Transport Minister Ameen Ibrahim from the post.

Ameen had been appointed to a cabinet slot assigned for the JP under the coalition agreement signed between the parties ahead of last year’s presidential election run-off.

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CSC statistics show 40 percent of civil servants paid less than MVR 5000

Statistics published by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) shows an estimated 40 percent of civil servants are paid less than MVR 4999 (US$ 324).

Of the 24,742 civil servants, 9,914 are paid up to MVR 4999, while the large majority (14,380) are paid between MVR 5000 and MVR 9999 (US$ 648).

Only 373 civil servants are paid between MVR 10,000 and MVR 14,999 while only 75 are paid above MVR 15,000 (972).

A majority of civil servants are employed in administrative work (7,495) and as teachers (7,036).

The Education Ministry and Health Ministry employ the largest number of employees at 9,860 and 7,405 respectively.

Statistics also show women outnumber women in the civil service. There are 11,655 women and 8,858 men.

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