Budget is meant for campaighn - opposition

08 December 2007
Report: Soodh

Opposition parties claim that part of the government budget for 2008 will go towards the 2008 presidential campaign.

Opposition parties made the statement while answering a question from Miadhu.

Chairperson of the main opposition party, MDP, Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) said that he has no confidence that the present government can bring any meaningful development to the country utilizing the budget. He also said that the government is incapable of maintaining law and order and incapable of providing a suitable environment for a peaceful coexistence.

“If you look at the budget closely you will see that it is no different to the ones of previous years, there is no different what so ever, we cannot make ends meet with what we earn, a large part of the budget depends on anticipated loan aid and anticipated revenue, these are unusual things, you can see the colors of the government from the budget proposed for 2008, this budget will also contribute towards wining the presidential elections” said Anni.

Anni further said that states resources and the states treasury and government facilities are mainly used to maintain the existing regime.

Chief Spokesperson of DRP Ibrahim Shafiu said the budget proposed for 2008 would ease many of the difficulties faced by the people. He said the proposed budget would contribute to the economic and social development of the country.

“The budget will contribute towards economic and social development of the country, the budget will ease many of the difficulties faced by the people, providing of text books and school fees is just one of the many” said Shafiu.

Vice President of Islamic Democratic Party (IDP) Mohamed Hassan Manik said that the budget will not provide any development and development can be shown on paper. He further said that budget of 2008 was compiled with the aim of wining another term for President Gayoom. Hassan Manik said the 2008 budget will not provide any appreciable benefits to the people.

“Government lacks necessary sincerity, this is just a show, they are not working to provide any benefit to the people but government is only trying gain support for the presidential elections of 2008”said Vice President of IDP.

Sheikh Hussain Rasheed President of Adhaalath Party commenting on the budget said that the current government has failed in every sense and proposing a huge budget as never seen in the history of the country will not help any body.

“State controlled Companies do nothing else other than to give out high value contracts, government too, are increasing their number of employees, I have no confidence the government is capable of fulfilling their promises, although the budget is aimed towards 2008 presidential elections, the parties will make sure it does not happen” said Sheikh Hussain Rasheed.

Leader of Maldivian Social Democratic Party (MSDP), Rico Ibrahim Manik said that the proposed budget will only benefit the government and no body else. He further predicted that people will face many difficulties by the middle of the year.

The budget proposed for 2008 aims to widen the scope of services provided by the government, increase the living standards and eliminate differences between individuals.