The government has expended MVR 3 billion on the police and armed forces this year, with spending for the police service increasing by six percent compared to the previous year, according to recent statistics.
The national budget of MVR 56.6 billion for this year allocated MVR 2.7 billion for the police service and MVR 2.1 billion for the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF).
As of the 18th of this month, the Finance Ministry reports that MVR 1.67 billion has been spent on the police, representing 62 percent of their budgeted amount. This is an increase from the MVR 1.57 billion spent during the same period last year, marking a six percent rise in police expenditure.
Conversely, MVR 1.41 billion has been spent on the army as of the 18th of this month, accounting for 65.7 percent of their allocated budget. This figure is a 21.6 percent decrease from the previous year's spending.
The cumulative expenditure for both the army and police has reached MVR 3 billion, leaving MVR 1.76 billion remaining for the final three months of the year.
Photo shows MNDF and Police officers. Alert levels in the Maldives were raised due to a possible attack that might originate from people with extremist ideology as the country deals with the situation with Covid-19. (Sun File Photo/Mohamed Afrah)
Regarding the spending on these two national security and safety institutions, financial experts have raised concerns about the continuation of an unlimited medical treatment scheme for soldiers, police officers, and their families. The Audit Office also expressed similar concerns last year.
The Audit Office's 2023 budget review noted a consistent year-on-year increase in staff medical expenses for the army and police.
According to the report, staff medical expenses were budgeted at MVR 170 million for 2023, and by September 2023, the entire budgeted amount had been utilized.
While Aasandha already provides free medical treatment, the additional scheme for police and army is seen as an extra financial burden on the budget, as highlighted in the report.
Despite plans for system reforms, these changes have yet to be implemented or finalized. Consequently, over MVR 700 million has been spent on medical treatment for soldiers, police officers, and their families over a three-year period.