Dr.Shainee urges not to politicize the changes made to food subsidies
Fisheries Minister Dr.Shainee has urged not to politicize the changes brought to the food subsidies by the government.
Speaking to the press last night Dr.Shainee said that, even with these changes those who deserve the subsidies will receive it and that they will suffer no burden. Dr.Shainee promised that all those who deserve the subsidies will receive it.
“Even, if the price of sugar has risen, there is no reason to increase the price of a cup of coffee, because usually restaurants use custom made sugar packets which never received subsidies. It is imported after paying necessary duties as well. This situation must not be misused for personal gains” said Dr.Shaine.
Dr.Shainee further said that the rent of houses in Male’ should not be increased as well showing the subsidies change as an excuse. “Those who are renting their own houses are people who earn a substantial amount of money. These people will not even use these subsidies staple food items. Then why should they increase the rent prices because of the reduction in subsidies” said Dr.Shainee
Dr.Shainee said that the people know that the government uses state revenues for projects that are beneficial for the people. “Previously 80% of the state budget was recurrent expenditure. Within the last two years we have reduced it to 60%. The expenditure on development has doubled. The 20% which was spent on developmental projects has increased up to 40%. The people will benefit from this. Even now we spend 1.2 billion Rufiyaa as subsidies” said Dr.Shainee.
Dr.Shainee said that, a president who just thinks politically, will want to increase the subsidies even if the country is bankrupt. He said that it is very easy for the president to give large amounts as subsidies to make people happy.
Dr.Shainee said that, however president Yameen wants to bring sustainable development to the country and truly benefit the people.
He further said that, even previously world financial institutions requested former governments to bring these changes, but no one did it because everyone wanted to gain more support politically rather than doing something good for the nation.
Dr.Shainee noted that, the government is implementing developmental projects without reducing the salary of civil servants by 800 million Rufiyaa.
