President Announces Budget Increase for WDCs And Revision Of Block Grant Formula
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu meeting with the Island Council members and the Women’s Development Committee of Haa Dhaalu Atoll Nolhivaranfaru | Photo: President’s Office
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced two key measures aimed at strengthening Women’s Development Committees (WDCs) and revising the fiscal formula for block grants as part of preparations for the 2026 State Budget.
In a post on his official X account, the President confirmed that the Government will double the budget allocation for WDCs, increasing it from five per cent to ten per cent from the 2026 Budget onwards. He said the measure is intended to enhance the role and capacity of WDCs across the country.
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The President also stated that from next year, the Ramadan allowance for WDC members will be provided through council budgets rather than from the committees’ own funds. The initiative to provide the allowance was first introduced last year under the current Administration.
ޤާނޫނު ނަންބަރު 7/2010 (ދިވެހިރާއްޖެހޭ އިދާރީ ދާއިރާތައް ލާމަރުކަޒީ އުޞޫލުން ހިންގުމުގެ ޤާނޫނުގެ 79 ވަނަ މާއްދާ)ގެ ދަށުން ކައުންސިލްތަކަށް ސަރުކާރުން ދޭ ޢާންމު ހިލޭ އެހީގެ ފައިސާ (ބްލޮކް ގްރާންޓް) ފޯރުކޮށްދިނުމަށްޓަކައި ކަނޑައަޅުއްވާފައިވާ ފިސްކަލް ފޯރމިއުލާ ގައިވާ ގޮތުން އާބާދީ…— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) September 5, 2025
In addition, the President announced that the fiscal formula used to determine the Government’s general block grants to councils will be revised under Section 79 of the Decentralisation Act (Act No. 07/2010). He noted that the existing formula has disadvantaged some councils, as it does not adequately account for island size.
He explained that the proposed revisions will consider the scale of municipal services required in islands with smaller populations but larger land areas. The changes will be included in the 2026 Budget proposal.
