Starting from today, only those who deserve it will receive food subsidies from the government. The government decided that, only poor people deserve the subsidies. Poor people are those who have registered with NSPA as poor people to receive subsidies.
Government brought this change because, around 41% of the food subsidies are being spent on tourists and expat workers in the Maldives annually. With this policy, those who are in need of it the most will get the subsidies.
Global financial organizations are also urging the government to stop blanket subsidies and to start targeted subsidies. However, a lot of people are concerned and complaining because government brought these changes with subsidies on staple food items.
There are people in the Maldives who receive 5000 Rufiyaa as old age pension from the state and at the same time get 140,000 Rufiyaa by renting out real estate.
Even the richest people in the Maldives get free health care under Aasandha.
With the policy change regarding subsidies, government will be able to save around 142 million Rufiyaa annually. Those who complain about this policy do not talk about those well off people who still get the same benefits as people with low income. No one talks about how much the state can save if government introduces a targeted health care and old age pension scheme as well.
Most of the people who talked to Miadhu News, support the idea of providing subsidies to people with low income only.
“With the reduction in food subsidies only 142 million Rufiyaa is saved. But how about all other subsidies. Rich people get free healthcare. Rich people event get 5000 Rufiyaa pension. Is staple food the only thing that is causing economic problems to the state? So how can we balance this? Even if we look at how much the Parliament Members spend on their personal healthcare abroad you will know what I am talking about” said someone who spoke to Miadhu.
“If we look at Saudi Arabia, they reduced the salary of members of the Shura Majlis by 15%. Shura Majlis is the equivalent of a parliament. This is how things should be done in Maldives as well” said another concerned citizen who spoke to Miadhu.
People are concerned that only those who need it the most will receive food subsidies
