Independent Presidential Candidate Dr. Hassan Saeed has called on the People’s Majlis to pay more attention to cutting down government expenditure. According to a statement issued by Dr. Hassan’s campaign office Dr. Hassan made the in response to the Majlis committee’s decision to provide Speaker of the Majlis and Chief Justice all expense government owned palaces.
In a presidential system, the People’s Majlis, the Judiciary and the government are three independent powers that need to be working in the same level, the statement said. This is achieved by arranging authorities and functions in a manner that will prevent one specific power from trying to exert influence over the other. The allocation of equal budgets and equal privileges to the 3 powers instead of establishing independency or equality will eventually results in competitive sprit over the size and stature. This will result in an increase in expenditure leading to reduced funds to spend on citizen’s basic services.
International financial organizations have revealed that Maldives government is a high spending government and is ranked on the top of the list, the statement said. Presidential Palace spends approximately Rf.500, 000 daily. Approximately 810 are employed in the service of the president excluding the president’s security personnel. The statement noted that British Prime Minister only employs 211 staff.
“We should be thinking in terms of reducing government spending and increase spending on the people’s welfare and betterment, there is no guarantee that by the end of this year there will left in the government’s reserve to finance one weeks staple food for the people, it is not wise ,at this juncture to , to make huge expenditure during this transitional phase, I hope Majlis members will pay more attention to reducing government expenses , I call on the Majlis to take urgent steps to curb government expenditure” Dr. Hassan Saeed said.
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