Deputy Speaker of Parliament Eva Abdulla has proposed a financial audit of the expenses undertaken by the state to overcome the COVID-19 crisis.
The deputy speaker submitted the proposal as an amendment to the motion submitted by Parliamentarian Ali Azim to review the economic recovery plan of the government and to check whether state expenditure during the COVID-19 crisis is undertaken in accordance to the Public Finance Act. The amendment states a financial audit needs to be conducted on COVID-19 related expenses during every quarter of the year.
The deputy speaker stated the international standards on auditing encourages conducting financial audits during times like this when state funds could easily be misused. She added the Auditor General holds the responsibility of auditing state finances, property and debts, as per the Constitution of the Maldives and the Auditor General Act.
The parliament is currently reviewing the economic recovery plan of the government to overcome the financial and economic impact of COVID-19. Parliamentary committees have submitted over 300 recommendations to the government on implementing the economic recovery plan.