In response to questions during the Parliament’s budget committee meeting held on Sunday, Jihad said in accordance with World Bank’s standards, the deficit exceeding 50 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) was extremely dangerous. Minister estimated the deficit to rise beyond 82 percent of GDP by the end of next year. While the estimated GDP for next year is MVR38 billion, the estimated deficit is MVR31.3 billion. According to Jihad, in order to put a check on the increasing deficit, the economy must be expanded, ways to increase revenue must be sought out and the number of inhabited islands must be reduced. “We cannot do that [decrease the deficit] by having 200 inhabited islands,” he said. Despite claiming to be a developing country, the islands of Maldives have not developed at the rate expected of a country of such status, Minister added. He further pledged to try and submit a State financial responsibility bill to Parliament next year which according to the Minister “would partly help to reduce the deficit.” Committee members voiced concern over the ever increasing State deficit. Kelaa constituency MP Dr Abdulla Mausoom estimated the per head deficit to be MVR90,000 by the end of next year. He alleged that the reason for the ballooning deficit is the failure of the government to put words into action. The estimated State budget for next year is MVR16.9 billion while the expected revenue is MVR12.9 billion.