In today's parliament sitting, Maavashu MP Abdul Aziz Jamaal Abu Bakr proposed an amendment requiring everyone living in the country to participate in the National Health Insurance Scheme or any other scheme. Health Ministry has revealed that the government will cover the insurance premium for the scheme, which would begin on January 1. The bill states that an amount not exceeding 3.5 percent of a worker's salary must be contributed to the scheme. Despite the government's plans to run the scheme by involving the working population, the amendment proposed by Gan MP Yusuf Abdul Gafoor states that the government should cover all insurance costs for everyone. Some members proposed the reduction of the amount deducted from participants. Gafoor also proposed that tax from tobacco and tobacco products should be spent on the insurance scheme. Thulusdhoo MP Rozaina Adam proposed that 0.5 percent of a worker's salary be made the necessary amount of contribution. The amendment submitted by Nolhivaram MP Mohamed 'Colonel' Nasheed proposed that 1.5 percent be deducted from an employee's salary as insurance contribution while the employer contribute three percent of an employee’s salary. MP Nasheed's amendment also states that the income tax payer also has to pay the necessary insurance contribution and that the amount paid as insurance will be deducted from tax payments. Kela MP Dr Abdulla Mausoom said free insurance should be provided for all the citizens as the state revenue had increased through taxation. Expatriates, however, should be charged for insurance, he added. Rf720 million has been allocated in the proposed 2012 state budget for health insurance while funds are to be raised via donations and through loans. Scheme assets are also to be invested to gain a profit. Voting, however, did not take place on the amendments during today’s session.