The religious conservative Adhaalath Party has condemned the Tourism Ministry for backing down on threats to withhold operating licenses of resorts with unpaid rent and fines.
The Tourism Ministry warned resort facilities with unpaid rents and fines to settle at least 25 percent of the outstanding amounts by July 20 or face revoking of licenses. However the ministry later decided not to follow through on the warning after at least seven out of ten resorts failed to comply within the period.
“Adhaalath Party believes that this decision made by the Tourism Ministry not to withhold the licenses will have adverse affects on society,” said the Adhaalath Party in a press statement. “It would cause the public to lose confidence in a state institute.”
Adhaalath Party claimed to have information that resorts owned by a Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP and Economic Advisor to the President along with a candidate for the MDP Chairperson post were among the resorts on the list.
“This decision of the Tourism Ministry will encourage individuals and businessman not to uphold the laws,” the party said. “As a result, the state will have to face difficulties in collecting revenues owed and it is possible that it affects the domestic economy.”
The party said that it was “very irresponsible” of the Tourism Ministry to make such a decision, adding that a delegation from Adhaalath is due to meet ministry officials over the issue.
Following the Tourism Ministry’s decision, the Commissioner General of Taxation Yazeed Mohamed told newspaper Haveeru that “even if the Tourism Ministry does not take measures, MIRA will fulfill its legal responsibilities.”
MIRA is currently pursuing cases at the Civil Court against a number of tourist facilities to recover unpaid rents.
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