The Housing Ministry has revealed that it is yet to handover flats to those that qualified for its shelter program.

The ministry has announced that is has shortlisted 661 of the 15,000 people that applied for housing units under its program.

The government has controversially publicized a list of recipients which comprises of 500 registered to capital city Malé and 161 that have been long-term residents.

The ministry’s tentative list was scrutinized and questioned over its decision to omit the names of recipients.

While Housing Minister Mohamed Muizzu insists that this was done to protect the identities of flat recipients, there have been allegations that it is an attempt to mask corruption.

The allegations have been filed with the Anti-Corruption Commission, which confirmed that it is investigating the matter.

The government has since announced that it is working to build 1,000 housing flats especially to be given out to members of the Civil Service Commission. It has also revealed plans to initiate a shelter program for newlyweds.

Further, President Abdulla Yameen has also amped up the government’s pledge to expand the existing program. He said in a rally last month that the government would construct 7,000 more flats this year and another 8,000 next year.