Committee passes to allow govt. to repossess land in council jurisdiction despite petition

The Parliament’s Decentralization Committee has approved a bill granting the government the authority to repossess land under the jurisdiction of local councils, despite a petition calling for the withdrawal of the legislation.

The bill, proposed by independently elected Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakr, who is pro-government, was approved during a committee meeting held on Monday night.

During the deliberations, ruling PNC’s North Henveiru MP Ahmed Aifan proposed an amendment requiring Finance Ministry to provide reasonable compensation to councils or third parties where investments have been made in land or properties being removed from a council’s jurisdiction.

The bill was approved with this amendment in a majority vote. The three members who voted against it were main opposition MDP’s Kendhoo MP Maaroof Zakir and Keyodhoo MP Mohamed Niushad, along with independently elected Addu Meedhoo MP Abdul Rahman. Notably, the committee proceeded with the legislation without considering petitions submitted both in support of and opposition to its passage.

MP Abdul Hannan has previously said the primary purpose of the bill is to facilitate cooperation between local councils and the government within a legal framework, thereby expediting government development projects. He also said the proposed legislation would streamline procedures for acquiring land required for state initiatives.

However, the bill has raised significant concerns as it would allow the Cabinet to repossess land from councils even before a physical development plan has been approved for a particular island or city. Critics argue that the provision undermines the principles of local governance.