Parliament passes bill to empower govt to repossess land in council jurisdictions

The Parliament, on Wednesday, approved an amendment to the Decentralization Act that authorizes the government to repossess land falling within the jurisdiction of local councils for the implementation of government projects.

The bill, submitted by independently-elect Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan, who is closely aligned with the administration, was passed with the support of 47 of the 59 members present.

The legislation was backed by members of the ruling PNC, while 11 opposition MDP members voted against it.

The amendment permits the government to repossess land under a council’s jurisdiction on the basis of a Cabinet decision to facilitate the implementation of state projects. The legislation was approved following a substantive amendment introduced during the committee stage.

The amendment, proposed by Henveiru North constituency MP Ahmed Aifan, provides that where a council or a third party has made an investment on land being removed from the council’s jurisdiction, appropriate compensation must be provided upon submission of the relevant claim to the Finance Ministry.

The amendment has nevertheless prompted concerns, with critics arguing that the provision could substantially curtail the statutory authority and autonomy of local councils over land within their respective jurisdictions.