Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Dr Abdulla Muththalib has said there is no political motive behind the delay in signing agreements for some Gedhoruveriyaa housing scheme recipients.
The minister said the delay was intended to protect people’s rights, after irregularities were identified in the recipient list once it had been sent for processing. He said the government has not created a new list of 4,000 recipients, and that flats are being allocated based on the final list issued on 15 November 2023, as recommended by the Attorney General.
The minister noted that applicants who scored 76 points or above should have received flats automatically, while those with 75 points should have been entered into a draw. However, under the previous government, 325 people with 76 points were excluded, while 315 people with 75 points were given flats.
Explaining the decision not to revise the list, the minister said creating a new list would delay people moving into completed flats. He added that action would be taken only against those proven to be ineligible, while others would still receive their flats.
The minister also noted that a one-page agreement had been signed just two days before the change of government, at a time when construction of the flats was only 30 percent complete.