Category: News in Brief

Parliament rejects formation of Women and Children’s Affairs committee

A resolution to create a parliamentary committee on Women and Children’s Affairs was voted down in today’s session.

The resolution, submitted by Thulusdhoo MP Rozaina Adam, was approved by 26 of 55 MPs and rejected by 29. There was one absention.

According to Haveeru, some members justified their rejection on a lack of precedent–Parliament does not have permanent committees for specialised groups–and said that admitting one such group plans would require plans be made for fishermen and farmers.

Others pointed out that the government does not have a specific ministry for women and children.

A few MPs said one more permanent committee would hinder Parliament’s work.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Addu City Council to receive second largest council budget in 2012

Addu City Council will receive Rf69.3 million (US$4.5 million) from the proposed 2012 State Budget, second only to Male’ City Council which is allocated Rf140.5 million. (US$9.5 million).

Local councils will receive Rf1.1 billion from next year’s proposed state budget of Rf14 billion.

Councils will also receive Rf42.6 million to run pre-schools under their remit.

At Rf762 million employee expenses is the most costly item on the list. The functioning of council secretariats has been allocated Rf294 million.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Three companies to compete for health insurance scheme

Allied Insurance, Sri Lanka Insurance and Amana Takaful are contending to provide universal health insurance for all Maldivians under Public Private Partnership.

The three companies submitted applications after the Finance Ministry tendered the plan to insure all Maldivians by January 2012 on October 20 this year.

The Finance Ministry’s October 20 announcement stated that the chosen company would have a 40 percent government share and a 60 percent private share. Service providers will fund customer claims and billings, while the government will cover insurance premiums.

The chosen service provider will be expected to set up an information center on each inhabited island across the Maldives.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

President confers national awards of honour, recognition

President Mohamed Nasheed conferred national awards of honour and recognition at a special function at Dharubaaruge on Sunday night.

Recipients of this year’s awards of honour were given a shield of honour, a badge of honour and commemorative plaques while winners of recognition awards received certificates and commemorative plaques.

The two individuals who received the honour award were Mohamed Yousuf for his contribution to education and Mohamed Ismail Fulhu for his contribution to raising health awareness.

Recipients of the national award of recognition were MP ‘Colonel’ Mohamed Nasheed in the area of Dhivehi literature (oratory skills); Ahmed Anwar in the area of education; Ali Rasheed in the area of health (traditional medicine); Husnu Su’ood in the area of legal service; Prof. Hassan Uqail in the area of innovation; Mohamed Ali Fulhu in the area of arts and crafts (boat building); Abdul Haris Haaroon in the area of arts and crafts (boat building); Abdul Rahman Moosa in the area of arts and crafts (lacquer work); Abdul Hameed Abdul Ghafoor in the area of sports; Abdulla Amir in the area of sports; Rafiath Rameeza in the area of performing arts (singing); Niuma Mohamed in the area of performing arts (feature film and drama acting); Jadulla Ismail in the area of applied arts (fashion designing); and Prop Pvt. Ltd. in the area of construction.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Noonu atoll councilor arrested for drug possession

Councillor Nasrulla Mohamed of Miladhoo in Noonu Atoll was arrested last night in the capital Male’ for alleged drug possession.

Mohamed, a member of ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), was arrested with two others at the Dolphin Restaurant. Haveeru reports that Abdulla Habib, who ran for the council position in February, was among those arrested.

Police Sub-Inspector Ahmed Shiyam told Minivan News that illegal drugs were visible near the individuals when they were apprehended.

The three individuals are currently being held in police custody and awaiting a court verdict.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Civil Court to rule on legality of airport development charge

A verdict is forthcoming in a case submitted by Dhivehi Qaumee Party (DQP) Vice President Imad Solih to the Civil Court, in an effort to prevent GMR from collecting a US$25 airport development charge from departing passengers.

The DQP has argued that the charges were a tax and unconstitutional, reported Haveeru.

The Attorney General’s (AG) Office argued on behalf of the Finance Ministry that that the charge would be taken under the Airport Service Charge Act and was not a tax.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Nasheed makes Cameron’s top five for Berlusconi stag party

If given the chance, British Prime Minister David Cameron would include President Mohamed Nasheed in a stag weekend organised by former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Graffiti artist Eine published a Q&A in UK media The Guardian in which he asked Cameron to choose five living world leaders to invite, and if he omitted Bill Clinton, to explain why.

After listing Clinton and Obama, Cameron said, “My new best friend is the president of the Maldives. He’s great.”

Press Secretary at the President’s Office Mohamed Zuhair told Haveeru that President Nasheed and the British PM maintain an “ever growing” friendship, and that their respective parties share a close partnership.

France’s Nicholas Sarkozy and New Zealand’s John Key also made the list.

Cameron gave one of Eine’s pieces to Obama as an official gift in 2010.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Mega Maldives opens route to Chonquing

One-year-old Mega Maldives Airlines welcomed its fourth scheduled route between the capital Male and the Chinese commercial powerhouse of Chongqing in China’s south-western mainland last weekend, the first time the route has been serviced from the Maldives.

“Mega Maldives viewed Chongqing as the next logical choice as a direct connection between one of the world’s most renowned and most sought after holiday destinations and the heart of China’s commerce and industry.”

Chongqing boasts one-third of China’s automobile industry, and is also home to international retail and finance groups Ford, Mazda, HSBC, Deutsche Bank and Wal Mart.

Mega Maldives currently operates flights to Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Chonquing flights depart Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) every five days for the 7 hour flight.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)

Part of convention centre roof falls to ground

A piece of ceiling on the outside of the Equatorial Convention Centre has fallen to the ground, reports Haveeru.

The centre was the venue of the recent SAARC Summit attended by leaders from around the region.

Haveeru spoke to a member of Addu City Council said Amin Construction was working to repair the ceiling.

“It’s an aluminium ceiling and it wasn’t a large part that fell,” the council member told Haveeru.

The government is seeking bids for the management of the Rf150 million (US$10 million) convention centre, and for the construction of a 100-bed hotel at the site.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)