President Mohamed Nasheed has submitted the revised Decentralization Bill to the People’s Majlis.
The government submitted this bill after wide ranging consultation with relevant parties, and with a number of amendments and reforms.
The bill states that each of the administrative divisions stated in Schedule 2 of the Constitution, except Malé, shall be administered by an atoll council elected in accordance with the Constitution and the Act.
The bill also makes provisions to ensure the representation of both women and men in the elected island and city councils.
The bill gives the President the authority to establish province offices in different regions to provide the services of government ministries, and to co-ordinate government projects in the regions.
The President has also proposed the 2nd amendment bill to Act number 2/99 (Tourism Act of the Maldives). The aim of this bill is to make the industry more sustainable and increase the government’s tourism revenue.
