President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has decided to confer National Award for Public Service on two occasions due to an abundant number of incoming applications. He made the decision following discussions with the National Awards Committee.
A total of 270 applications were received for the National Award for Public Service and a further 72 nominees have applied for the National Award this year, by the end of the application deadline on August 12.Speaking at the meeting, President Solih expressed delight over the substantial number of applications received for the National Award for Public Service. He deliberated on the subject with the members of the National Awards Committee and decided that it was not reasonable to confer awards to so many individuals in a single ceremony, thereby deciding the awards would be conferred during the ceremonies to be held on the occasions of Independence Day and National Unity Day.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Aneesa Ahmed, recipient of the Order of Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin, stated the vetting process for the recipients for national awards is close to an end. She also emphasised a lot of individuals had difficulty with the form application process since it was the first time the National Award for Public Service was opened for nominations.
Further, she stated issues arose in regards to submitting supporting documents that were required for the completion of the application form. She said as most of them deserved the awards, the committee decided to give those applicants another chance to submit the required documents along with the forms.