Local Government Authority (LGA) has stated that the Thinadhoo City Council illegally imposed the USD324 fee on residents to fulfill requests to revoke their residency. LGA made the statement in a press release after ordering the city council to stop charging the fee.
On January 7, the Thinadhoo City Council announced that it has begun charging USD324 to revoke the residency of individuals wishing to move from Thinadhoo. The decision was made after holding discussions during a council meeting, in which the councilors determined that the city would be adversely affected if residents moved away.
In response, LGA stated that the council needs to complete the proper procedures before issuing such fees. LGA noted that every citizen has the right to move and settle in any part of the country under Article 41 of the Constitution. Any measure of the right can only be withheld by a law passed by Parliament that does not undermine the Constitution. The authority also highlighted that the Decentralisation Act stipulates that if a person has a house or flat in an island other than his residence, he shall not be discriminated against in granting the opportunity to become a resident of that island.
The board of LGA has discussed the issue and concluded that the Thinadhoo City Council has violated the Constitution and should withdraw its decision to impose the fee.