Over MVR 300,000 was paid to absent former Defence Advisor, reveals Audit Report

The Audit Report of Ministry of Defence for 2011 has revealed that more than MVR 300,000 was paid as salary and allowances to an individual who held the post of Defence Advisor at the Maldivian High Commission in India in the government of former President Mohamed Nasheed.

The Audit Report issued today states that there is no record of the former Defence Advisor having attended work during this period.

The report does not reveal the name of the individual, but said that MVR 344,200 was paid to him in 2011 as salary and allowances.

The Auditor General has advised to prepare employees’ attendance reports before the end of each month, and to refuse salaries and allowances to employees who lack attendance records.

The Audit Report also highlighted that in addition to their basic salaries, MVR 1.2 million was paid unlawfully to Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) personnel who were studying abroad.

In addition, the report noted that the payment of salaries to MNDF personnel who were on pay-leave from 2009 to 2010 was against regulations. The Auditor General advised Defence Ministry to reclaim this money and deposit it to the public bank account.