~' Dhivehi Vindhu `~ For the People ~ From the Pleople

JP will support new govt. despite Gasim’s resignation - Nashid

Jumhoory Party (JP) will support the new government established by MDP Alliance after winning the landmark multiparty presidential election held on 28 October 2008 despite the recent resignation of JP and Jumhoory Coalition leader Gasim Ibrahim as the new government’s home minister, Dhaalu MP and Vice Leader of JP ADK Nashid has said.

MP Nashid made the statement while debating on the proposed budget for 2009 at the Majlis sitting held on Monday.

Nashid speaking at the Majlis expressed concern over the omission of certain electoral pledges to the people by the ‘Watan Edhey Gothan” government in the proposed budget. He noted that lack of developmental projects of Dhaalu atoll as well as projects which are continued in the atolls under the government budget for 2008.

However, Chairman of the ADK Group MP Nashid, despite the omissions he will support the budget and that it is too early to criticize the government.

During the debate time opened for the continuation of debate on the proposed budget, Lhaviyani atoll MP Mohamed Solih expressed that complaints and questions concerning the proposed budget are targeted at the previous government and that due to short time available to the new government only essential changes were brought to the budget which was primarily formulated by the previous government.

He raised questions on the operations of State Electric Company (STELCO), Fuel Supplies Ltd and companies managed by State Trading Organization (STO) in Singapore. He also asked how grant aid provided by the Japanese government towards development of agriculture be provided to local actors.

At the sitting held on Monday many members voiced concerns over omissions of certain developmental projects in the proposed budget. Members also spoke on the need to recover the loans granted by the previous government and on providing soft loans to fisher folks and farmers as well as small scale business owners.

Members questions were answered by Finance Minister Ali Hashim and informed additional details requested will be furnished to members through Majlis Secretariat.