Decentralization Committee postpones completion of councils’ land bill amid rising public opposition

The bill allowing the government to take over land under local council jurisdiction has been postponed until Thursday.

Debate on the bill, which would reduce the powers of councils and transfer them to the government, concluded in a single day and was sent for committee consideration on Monday. The Decentralization Committee met the following day and initially decided to complete the bill by Sunday. However, the committee has now postponed the deadline for completion to Thursday, the final day of the current session.

The motion to postpone was moved by PNC MP Hassan Waheed and seconded by PNC MP Ahmed Aifan. It was passed unanimously by members present at the meeting.

A petition filed by social media activist Midhuam Saud on August 8 against the bill has received 2,100 signatures within a week. Under parliamentary e-petition regulations, a petition must reach 2,100 signatures, or 0.5 percent of the voting population, to be referred to the relevant committee for consideration. A meeting of the Petition Committee is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on Sunday.

The bill’s deadline was apparently postponed due to the petition.

Midhuam’s petition argues that granting the government power to take land under councils would deprive elected councillors of their authority and transfer those powers to the Cabinet. It also states that the bill restricts the public’s right to have a say in land-related matters.

The bill, submitted by pro-government MP Abdul Hannan Abubakr of Thulhaadhoo, aims to ensure council cooperation within a legal framework to accelerate government development projects. It also seeks to strengthen procedures for acquiring land required for state projects.

However, concerns have been raised because the amendment allows the Cabinet to set aside land under council jurisdiction and take it over for government use even before the physical development plan of an island or city is approved.

PNC parliamentary group leader and Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falaah said the bill was passed with the support of PNC members. LGA CEO Mohamed Nimal said the amendment would help accelerate development projects.