Parliament on Thursday passed a history MVR 37.8 billion state budget for the year 2020, adding MVR 336 million to the initially proposed budget.

The budget was passed with the votes of 77 lawmakers out of 79 who attended the session today. Only one lawmaker voted against the budget, which was Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir. The lawmaker expressed his opinion during the budget debate and noted that he will not vote in favour for the gigantic budget.

Finance Ministry initially proposed a budget of MVR 35.6 million. However the budget review committee added another MVR 336 million citing office expenditures for PSIP projects.

The additional amount included is to be generated from the sale of T-Bills.

MVR 35.6 million is expected to be expenditure with MVR 29.9 being the projected state revenue.