Tag: food allowance

HRCM paid food, travel allowance in violation of finance regulation: audit report

The Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) paid travel and food allowance to employees at a higher rate than specified in the public finance regulations, the commission’s audit report for 2012 has revealed.

The audit report made public on Monday (March 18) explained that amendments were brought to chapter five of the regulations dealing with travel expenses through a circular issued in 2012.

The audit discovered that food and travel allowance paid to HRCM employees for trips within the country on official business was higher than the rates specified in the amended sections 5.09 and 5.19 of the public finance regulations.

In addition, the audit found that the commission outsourced work valued under MVR 25,000 (US$1,621) without signing official agreements with the hired parties as required by section 8.22 of the public finance regulations.

The report also noted that the commission did not seek quotations from three parties as required by the finance regulations for purchases and services valued under MVR 25,000 (US$1,621).

The regulations require state institutions to seek quotations or estimates from at least three parties to select the best offer for purchases, outsourced tasks or services rendered.

Aside from the three issues flagged in the audit, the report stated that the commission’s expenses were in accordance with public finance regulations and the annual budget approved by parliament.

Auditor General Niyaz Ibrahim meanwhile approved and verified the commission’s finance statement for 2012 as authentic.

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Letter on civil servant food allowance

Dear Mohamed Fahmy Hassan, President of the Civil Service Commission (CSC),

Assalaamualaikum Wrh. Wbr.

My civil servant colleagues and I congratulate you for your nomination as the new President of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

We take this opportunity to bring to your attention that there are a number of civil servants who are entitled to a food allowance but have not been paid to date.

This we believe is because they are not the majority. But we also believe the CSC must respect the feelings of the minority as well and that we hereby request you to look into the issue a bit seriously and without any further delay.

We have seen that a staff member travelling to the workplace by bus, organised by the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), are paid a food allowance, but the same staff travelling to the workplace by sea –
much further in terms of distance and much more difficult to travel – have NOT been paid a food allowance.

If we look at the set rules and regulations for providing a food allowance we believe it contradicts the rule and how it is been practiced because the rule says a staff member travelling to a workplace other than his/her residence are entitled to a food allowance and a travel allowance.

Again, this in contradictory when those who don’t get a food allowances are still provided with a travel allowance, which doesn’t really make sense and is really problematic.

Now the question is why these employees are been paid a travel allowance if they are not entitled to a food allowance. We believe travel allowance has been paid for the same reason as the food allowance has been paid.

Since the issue has been repeatedly notified to the Zinmaadhaaru Verin (ZV) and the Permanent Secretaries (PS) but remains unattended and ignored, please kindly try to help the civil servants get their entitled food allowance as soon as possible.

Sincerely yours,

Mohamed

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