Extraordinary sitting ends amid discord

The extraordinary parliament sitting held today, scheduled for passing several revenue bills proposed by the government, has come to an end amid discord and 'points of order'.

Items scheduled for today’s sitting include debate on a bill proposed by the government to extend the imposition of Bed Tax until 31 December 2014, which according to Article 35 (a) of the Tourism Act introduced 14 years ago in 1999, ended on 31 December 2013.

Debate was also scheduled for today’s sitting on the bills submitted by the government proposing to increase GST from 8 to 12 percent, and an amendment to the Tourism Act to complete payment of the fee to extend resort lease period to 50 years, in three months.

The parliament sitting commenced at 9:00 a.m., but was halted at 9:30 a.m. when opposition members continued to disrupt order by bringing up points of order.

The morning session of today’s sitting was suspended by Speaker of Parliament Abdulla Shahid after discussion with the Majority and Minority Leaders.

When the afternoon session and the debate on the bills proposed by the government began, MPs of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) raised further points of order and insisted that the sitting should not proceed.

They said that they do not support the revenue bills submitted by the government, which propose to increase taxes.

Pro-government members countered by saying that the pledges made by the government to the people can only be fulfilled by increasing government revenue. They said that the only way to provide financial support to fishermen, farmers, and the elderly is by passing the bills.

They further argued that unless the bills are passed within the next two months, the national debt will increase and the government will face difficulties in providing public services.

Speaker Shahid concluded the sitting at 2:30 p.m. as scheduled, and did not announce a date for the next sitting.