Committee Approves Budget of MVR 112.27 Million for Audit Office

The Finance Committee of the Parliament has given its approval to a budget allocation of MVR 112.27 million for the Auditor General’s Office for the upcoming year.

Originally, the Auditor General’s Office had proposed a budget of MVR 123 million for the coming year. However, after a discussion, the committee approved a revised budget of MVR 112.27 million, which includes a deduction of MVR 10.4 million earmarked for an increase in dependent allowance. 

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The motion for this adjustment was introduced by Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa.

For the Auditor General’s Office, the committee greenlit a budget allocation of MVR 74.14 million for both recurrent and capital expenditure. It’s worth noting that the Audit Office had initially proposed MVR 82 million for these expenditures. 

Additionally, the committee approved a budget of MVR 38.1 million for the construction of a new office building for the Audit Office.

The Auditor General’s Office has clarified that the budget allocation includes an increase in dependent allowance for professionals and experienced staff. Nevertheless, the committee has opted for a reduction in this allowance.

Notably, the Auditor General’s Office’s budget had initially stood at MVR 93 million for the current year. However, due to the relocation of the Auditor General’s office building – a move necessitated by the deterioration of the previous building, the Ghaazee Building – the budget increased to MVR 123 million.

The Audit Office has been temporarily relocated to a rented space.

It’s important to mention that the budget for the Auditor General’s Office is to be submitted to Parliament separately from the State budget. However, when the Parliament passes the State budget, the budget for the Audit Office must also be integrated into it.