Ministry of Finance has handed over the remaining amount from the budgets allocated to local councils for the year 2018.
A circular signed by Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer said over USD 2 million, which was not spent from budget allocated for councils last year, have now been handed over to the local councils. This is the first time the remaining amount from the budgets have been transferred to the respective councils.
If funds from the approved budget remain unused by the end of the year, it should be deposited as income of the council, according to Article 104 of the Decentralisation Act. However, Article 104 states the amount required for goods and services procured before December 31, or agreed to be procured before that date, should be paid for and settled by February 15 of the following year.
The finance ministry has appealed to the councils to pay any unpaid bills from last year, by utilising the funds deposited.