Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is once again the political party with most members in the country, reports Miadhu.
Last Tuesday, Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) had claimed membership majority with a total of 32,539.
According to Miadhu, the Elections Commission (EC) said MDP reached 33,270 members and had an additional 3,500 forms waiting for verification.
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(0)It was decided yesterday in the Cabinet meeting that the Maldives should accede to the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, also known as the New York Convention.
The New York Convention was adopted by the UN in 1958 which deals with international arbitration; a means of alternative dispute resolution in the areas of international trade and commercial transactions.
According to the Constitution, the Cabinet must send the matter to Parliament. The treaty will only come into force if and when it is approved by the People’s Majlis.
Cabinet members noted that the Convention would provide legislative standards for the recognition of arbitration agreements.
It was also suggested that accession to the Convention would create an “investor-friendly environment” in the Maldives.
(0)Dislikes(0)President Mohamed Nasheed has established Malé Health Services Corporation Limited, a government-owned company with one hundred percent government shares.
The company was formed to “ensure economic and social development” and to provide “adequate health care” for Maldivians.
The corporation will establish and maintain health care facilities in the Malé region.
(0)Dislikes(0)Thirty-six sailors from regiments of the Indian Army currently at the College of Military Engineering (CME) have begun a sailing expedition from Mumbai to Malé and back, reports indianexpress.com.
Commandant of CME Lieutenant General USP Sinha said ventures such as this would “instill a spirit of adventure among young officers.”
The expedition will cover a total of 3,000 nautical miles (5,000 km), travelling from Mumbai to Colombo then Malé and back to Mumbai.
Leader of the expedition, Major Karunakaran of the CME said cruising non-stop on the Arabian Sea without any technological devices “called out to the adventurers in all of us.”
The sailors will set out on Yacth Trishna, a 36-foot Swan Class of 1970 vintage, which did an around the world trip in 1986.
(0)Dislikes(0)Residential property Henveiru Vaavelaaveli in Male’ was destroyed in a fire yesterday.
Police reported that the fire was controlled at 2:30pm yesterday afternoon by the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF).
Three men were injured during the incident and everything inside the house except some dresses were completely destroyed.
MNDF is now investigating the cause of the blaze.
(0)Dislikes(0)Minister of Health and Family Dr Aminath Jameel has said there will be no loss to the government if health employees have to work under corporations, reports Haveeru.
The government is planning on managing Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), regional hospitals and health centres, under 100 percent government-owned corporations.
The minister said employees will be protected under the Employment Act and Pension Law.
Dr Aminath said employees would not lose their rights and the Health Ministry would regulate the corporations under its regulatory mechanism.
She added that the health sector framework would be amended and salaries are expected to increase.
The minister added that bringing health services closer to the people under corporations would solve the current problems the health sector is facing.
(0)Dislikes(0)A man injured during the accident on Addu Link road has been taken to India for medical treatment, reports Haveeru, after he was brought to Male’ yesterday.
The news paper reported that the man’s condition was now stable, but he had injured his chest very seriously.
No one was arrested during the accident and police are now investigating the case.
(1)Dislikes(0)Parliament has unanimously accepted the Decentralisation Bill in yesterday’s sitting, reports Miadhu.
MPs voted to send the bill to be reviewed by an eleven-member committee, which was proposed by DRP MP Mohamed Mujthaz.
The committee members includes Rozaina Adam, Mohamed Mujaathaz, Abdulraheem Abdulla, Hamid Abdul Ghafoor, Ahmed Sameer, Rugiyya Mohamed, Gasim Ibrahim, Hassan Adhil and Ibrahim Riza.
The Majlis also approved the drug bill. Some MPs said they did not want to establish an independent Drug Court, and the Vice President should be included in the National Drug Council.
The bill has been sent to Social Affairs Committee for further deliberation and revision.
(0)Dislikes(0)Nominations for the Board of Directors for the newly formed Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) and its Commissioner General and Deputy Commissioner General of Taxation will open today at the President’s Office.
Applications for nomination will be open until 5 April 2010.
According to Article 4(d) of the Tax Administration Act, the Board of Directors of MIRA will comprise of seven members. Both the members of the board and the Commissioner General and Deputy Commissioner General of Taxation will be appointed by President Mohamed Nasheed and must be approved by the People’s Majlis.
Nomination forms are available at the President’s Office or through their website.
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