Ministry of Finance and Treasury has told the parliament committee reviewing the proposed addition of two more judges to the Supreme Court that MVR 7.9 million has to be added to the state budget to bring the change.

Speaking at the debate at the parliament floor today following the amendment by MP Ali Azim to increase the number of judges at the Supreme Court from five to seven, the MP for West Henveiru constituency, Hassan Latheef, who is also on the parliament’s judicial committee and the Chairperson of MDP, said that the effect on the budget when bringing the change was looked into during the review phase.

And when details were requested from the Finance Ministry, the ministry has said that an additional MVR 7.9 million has to be included in the state budget annually. He said that Supreme Court judges needs to have their honor protected and need good allowances.

He said that the report from the Finance Ministry did include ways to reduce the figure without slashing the current salary of the judges. However, he did not include any specifics.

The number of judges at the Supreme Court was reduced from seven to five during the Yameen administration. At the time, the amendment was passed at the parliament and then Chief Justice, Ahmed Faaiz Hussain and Judge Ahmed Muhthasim Adnan were removed from the court panel.