Feevaku Council President: Councillor salary hikes strain island development budget

Sh. Feevaku Council President Ali Rasheed has expressed concerns that the recent increases in councillor salaries are placing an undue burden on the island's development budget. Speaking on Raajje MV's programme 'Fashaairu', he said that while he supports the salary hike, the entire cost must be covered from the council's block grant — the same fund meant for development projects. He noted that this is the third time salaries have been raised since he assumed office, and each time the council has had to spend approximately 250,000 rufiyaa from its development allocation, forcing the suspension of planned programmes. Rasheed stated that he raised the issue with the Finance Ministry, but despite assurances, no additional budget has been provided to any council to offset the salary increases. Councils receive 5 per cent of the state budget as a block grant, and Rasheed argued that the government should provide extra funding for salary increments rather than expecting councils to divert development funds.