Parliament Approves USD 7.39 Million Budget for Auditor General’s Office

Parliament has unanimously approved a budget of USD 7.39 million for the Auditor General’s Office (AGO) for the upcoming financial year.

The decision was made during parliamentary session, where all members present voted in favour of the allocation. The Constitution mandates that the AGO must submit its budget separately to maintain its independence from external influences. Initially, the AGO proposed a budget of USD 6.45 million, with USD 5.21 million earmarked for recurrent and capital expenses, and USD 1.23 million designated for the construction of its office building in Hulhumalé.

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During the budget preparation process, the AGO consulted with the Ministry of Finance, which suggested reducing allocations for salaries and wages. However, the Budget Committee rejected this recommendation, pointing to past concerns raised by the AGO regarding difficulties in hiring qualified auditors due to insufficient salaries. The committee emphasised the need for a budget that would support the AGO’s work without imposing financial constraints, particularly to attract and retain experienced auditors.

Additionally, the Ministry of Finance recommended increasing the USD 1.23 million allocated for the development of the Hulhumalé office building to USD 2.20 million. Following this adjustment, the AGO submitted a revised budget of USD 7.39 million, which was subsequently approved by the Budget Committee and ratified by Parliament.

This budget is expected to bolster the AGO’s operational capacity while ensuring its continued independence in carrying out its mandate.