The Parliament on Wednesday passed a MVR 49.8 billion budget for 2024, as reviewed by the Budget Committee.

The government presented a budget of MVR 49.5 billion for next year. However, the committee passed a budget of MVR 49.8 billion.

The committee's amendments to the budget sent by the government have increased the budget by MVR 306,109.915.

Other changes made by the committee to the budget include changes to the Fushidhiggaruu dredging project, a presidential promise of Mohammed Muizzu. The government allocated MVR 400 million for the project.

However, Dhaandhoo MP Yaugoob Abdullah proposed to deduct some of the PSIP projects in the Budget Committee. Yaugoob's motions were supported by Maradhoo MP Ibrahim Shareef. The Budget Committee members unanimously approved the proposals, therefore removing the Fushidhiggaru project from the budget.

Then, out of the MVR 400 million initially included for the Fushidhiggaru project, MVR 200 million was included for the completion of the Housing Scheme in Hulhumale, Gulhifalhu and Giraavaru Falhu. The remaining MVR 200 million is included in the provincial PSIP programme.

The Budget Committee has included MVR 10 million in the Attorney General's Office's budget to recover the missing sea area within Maldives' Special Economic Zone (EEZ).

Budget Details:

- Budget total: MVR 49.8 billion

- Grants and revenues: MVR 33.5 billion

- For PSIP: MVR 8.9 billion

- Deficit: MVR 16.3 billion