DRP resolves on no-confidence motion against Finance Minister

Parliamentary Group of the main opposition Divehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) has today decided to go for a motion of no-confidence against the Minister of Finance, Ahmed Inaz, claiming that he has been committing acts violating democracy.

In a press meeting held at DRP’s Office today, Dr. Abdullah Mausoom, Deputy President of DRP Parliamentary Group and MP for Kelaa Constituency, said that the decision to submit a motion of no-confidence against Minister Inaz was made on a number of grounds. Dr. Mausoom then said that the Minister had acted against democratic values repeatedly, and done extremely unacceptable acts such as withholding Majlis-approved budget funds to various public institutions.

Dr. Mausoom said that the decision on the no-confidence motion was passed unanimously, by the 12 members who were present at the Parliamentary Group meeting held today. There are 15 members in the DRP Parliamentary Group, of whom 3 were reportedly absent in today’s meeting.

Dr. Mausoom noted that the Ministry of Finance, under the headship of Inaz, had refused to release the budget allocated for the Local Councils, the Maldives Broadcasting Corporation and also refused to provide subsidy funds for fishermen and power house operators in Atolls, and claimed that in these failures, Inaz had been negligent.

Dr. Mausoom also accused the Minister of being negligent in devaluing the Maldivian currency against the US Dollars, and starting implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) without due consideration of the possible negative consequences and ramifications of the decision upon the people.

DRP officials said in today’s meeting that the motion would soon be floored at the Majlis, as soon as the necessary documents are prepared.