Opposition aligned Adhaalath Party (AP) has called on Finance Minister Ahmed Munawwar to publicize the details of responsibilities and pay for political appointees.

The letter, signed by the Party’s Deputy Leader Ali Zahir, said the development of the past 15 years can be attributed to economic development. As such, the economy and the wealth that came with this development was the right of the public.

Therefore, the responsibility of ensuring this economy was maintained properly fell on the citizens, it noted. The letter noted in the budget for 2018, MVR 16.3 billion will be taken as taxes from citizens, with 57.5 percent of budget listed as recurrent expenditure.

‘The biggest part of this recurrent expenditure are salaries for civil servants, with an increase of 6.6 percent increase in the amount taken from public for expenditure on civil servants. Your administration is constantly stating that a positive change will come for civil servants, even with this increase,’ the letter said.

The letter expressed concern over the various political appointees, including senior Ministers, Ministers, Ministerial level positions, State Ministers, State Ministerial level positions, Deputy Ministers, Deputy Ministerial level positions, Coordinators and others, which now amount in several thousands. It noted there was no disclosure on the responsibilities of these appointees and how much was spent on these appointees.

These appointees, the Party said, in absence of proper accountability, paved way for more corruption. Their corruption and lack of expertise, cost the nation billions annually, the letter added.

Therefore, AP requested the Ministry to publicize the details of appointees, their responsibilities, pay and amenities granted to these appointees and make these details part of public record.

The letter added lack of disclosure of vital information relating to the state of the nation and economy was not a sign of a democratic nation and against Islamic principles as well.

Adhalaath Party’s letter concluded by stating that there was no difference between wholesale theft of the state by current administration to that by a foreign power.