Parliament of the Maldives has passed an amendment to the Decentralisation Act to grant land ownership to local councils. The amendment was passed with votes from 42 parliamentarians.
Upon ratification of the amendment, local councils will be given land ownership for administrative work and will also be given authority to lease land under their ownership. The amendment also specifies that councils are required to use or lease land under their ownership in accordance with the land-use plan. The amendment also grants councils the power to take and give out loans.
During the debate stage, the parliamentarians noted that councils are currently hindered by the inability to use the local land being used for administrative work for the benefit of the islands and the residents.
The government has pledged to amend laws that obstruct the powers given to local councils by the Decentralisation Act.