The People's Majlis has just approved a budget of MVR 134.2 million for the Audit Office for the year 2026, as originally proposed by the office, despite the Finance Minister's suggestion to reduce it.

The Public Finance Committee's report on the Audit Office budget was presented to the Majlis today by the committee's Deputy Chair, Ahmed Saleem, MP for Eydhafushi constituency.

The Audit Office had initially proposed a budget of MVR 134.2 million for 2026. However, the Finance Minister had suggested to the committee that this budget be reduced.

The Finance Minister had requested cuts totaling MVR 9.2 million from various areas.

These proposed cuts included reductions in overtime pay, travel expenses, office supplies, training programs, maintenance, and capital expenditures.

However, the committee approved the full MVR 134.2 million budget as proposed by the Audit Office. This includes MVR 89 million for recurrent expenditures, MVR 3 million for capital expenditures, and MVR 41.5 million included in the PSIP for the Audit Office's new building.

The Audit Office budget was passed unanimously by 51 out of 52 members present at the Majlis session.

For the current year 2025, the Audit Office was approved a budget of MVR 114 million.

According to the Constitution, the Audit Office budget must be approved separately from and prior to the state budget, in the same manner as the Majlis budget.