Committee passes bill allowing ministers a say in hiring permanent secretaries

Committee on Independent Institutions of People’s Majlis has passed the bill to amend Civil Service Act so that Cabinet ministers have a say in hiring permanent secretaries for their respective ministries.

The authority to hire permanent secretaries currently lies with Civil Service Commission (CSC).

The bill, proposed by MP Abdul Latheef Mohamed from the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) calls for permanent secretaries to be hired in accordance with the advice of Cabinet ministers in charge.

The bill was passed by the Committee on Monday with the vote of five PPM lawmakers present during the meeting.

Total seven members attended the meeting.

The sole Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) lawmaker in the Committee, MP Rozaina Adam did not cast her vote.

The leader of the Committee did not participate in the meeting as leaders of committees are only allowed to weigh in to break ties.

Speaking during the meeting, Rozaina said that the Committee needed to hear from CSC before casting the vote.

However, her suggestion to summon members of CSC to the Committee was not called to vote.

The bill states that it was the responsibility of permanent secretaries to run the ministries under the guidance of the ministers. And to assist ministers when their assistance is asked for.