News

Committee awarded MVR 1bn in settlements; AGO opens review

Published

2 months ago

06/03/2024

The settlement committee – set up at the President’s Office during the MDP administration – awarded settlements worth over MVR 1 billion to 10 parties, says Attorney General Ahmed Usham, adding that the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) finds this unjust, and has therefore opened a review.

The settlement committee was set up during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration to review and provide compensation over cancelled government contracts. But the new administration, which came to power in November 2023, dissolved the committee.

In a press briefing on Wednesday afternoon, Usham said that 10 parties were awarded money and islands in settlements by the committee.

He said that the monetary value of the settlements is upwards of MVR 1 billion.

“We are currently reviewing the decisions of the settlement committee,” he said.

“The committee has settled with parties that sued the state, in cases where they clearly had no chance of winning. There are also cases where higher amounts were awarded, in situations where the Attorney General’s Office counseled a specific course of action and instructed the payment of a specific amount if going for settlement,” he said.

Usham said the AGO has selected a team to conduct the review.

He added that the Finance Ministry and Tourism Ministry have been instructed to freeze the settlement payments, as the AGO conducts its review.

‘I say Tourism Ministry, because a lot of these parties were awarded islands to run tourist establishments,” he said.

Usham said the AGO has also asked for an assessment from the Auditor General’s Office to ascertain that the settlement payments were fair.

He said the AGO excepts to receive the report soon.

“This will be done soon, after which we will make a decision regarding how to proceed with these 10 cases,” he said.

The former administration had treated the parties that were awarded settlements and the specifics as classified information.

Source(s): sun.mv

News

Minister confirms redeployment of all Indian militants

Published

16 hours ago

11/05/2024

Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon has disclosed that the 76 Indian militants stationed in the Maldives have been successfully redeployed. The redeployment of foreign troops from the nation is a commitment of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

The withdrawal of the Indian military troops stationed by May 10 in the Maldives, as per the pledge of President Dr. Muizzu, were officially announced today at a press conference held at the President’s Office. The troops were redeployed in batches, with the first batch redeployed in March. This was followed by the withdrawal of the second batch of militants in April and the last batch on May 10.

Details on the withdrawal of the foreign troops are as follows: In March, a total of 26 soldiers who were stationed in Gan, Addu City were redeployed, with 12 militants redeployed on March 7 and 14 militants on March 9. Meanwhile, 25 military personnel in Hanimaadhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll withdrew, with 13 soldiers redeployed on April 7 and 12 on May 9. The troops stationed in Kadhdhoo, Laamu Atoll were redeployed with 12 personnel withdrawing the platforms on May 7 and 13 by May 9.

Speaking at the press conference, Minister Ghassan revealed that the foreign soldiers working at Senahiya Military Hospital are doctors, and there were no plans to redeploy them. The minister assured that these soldiers were not partaking in any military roles.

Source(s): PsmNews

News

Foreign Minister prioritises talks with India to expedite projects

Published

16 hours ago

11/05/2024

Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer has affirmed that significant strides have been made in expediting projects initiated in the Maldives with financial assistance from the Indian Government.

Following his official visit to India at the invitation of Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, Minister Zameer said that a spectrum of initiatives across the nation has been kickstarted through loans and grants from the Government of India during the previous administration. He emphasised the current government’s commitment to prioritising the resumption and completion of these projects. He also underscored his dedication to this endeavor during his recent visit to India.

Additionally, Minister Zameer disclosed that both ministers engaged in bilateral discussions on May 9 to address pivotal matters aimed at expediting the projects. He underscored the discussions with Minister S. Jaishankar, focusing on the operational dynamics of the committees entrusted with executing these projects.

During the official discussions between the two nations, Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated the significance of India’s ongoing projects in the Maldives.

Source(s): PsmNew

News

Redeployment of Indian troops, attributed to critical thinking of President

Published

16 hours ago

11/05/2024

Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon has revealed that all the Indian military troops, previously stationed in Maldivian platforms were effectively redeployed due to the strategic decision-making skills and critical thinking of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. The remarks were made by the minister during a press conference held to officially announce the redeployment of all Indian militants.

Addressing the media, Minister Ghassan disclosed that a total of 76 military personnel were stationed across three platforms in the Maldives. The three platforms include Hanimaadhoo in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Gan in Addu City and Kadhdhoo in Laamu Atoll. The minister further confirmed the successful withdrawal of all foreign troops in the country by the deadline set by the government, which was May 10.

Minister Ghassan stated that the successful redeployment of troops through series of discussions in a small period of time, were attributed to the critical and strategic thinking of President Dr. Muizzu.

Source(s): PsmNews