MALE: President’s Special Envoy Ibrahim Hussein Zaki has said that the government will always remember and acknowledge that there are poor in Maldives. Speaking at a press conference held yesterday to talk about government’s decision to hike up electricity fee; Zaki said that the government was ready give subsidized electricity to the poor.
“When government subsidizes companies, the benefit largely goes to people who do not deserve it. This is why we have made this decision. Allowances will be given to people who deserve it. ” said Zaki.
Chairman of National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) Ibrahim Waheed said that application forms for seeking assistance will be made available from Sunday onwards from NSPA office. When applications are made, government will evaluate and decide if assistance should be given to applicants.
Government also plans initiate a program to give subsidized foodstuffs to people in low income bracket and also to provide financial benefit of Mrf 2,000 for single mothers and Mrf 1500 for disabled per month.
