Names to remain on flat list regardless of spouse’s inclusion

In a press conference talking about the flats, Housing Minister Dr. Abdulla Muththalib said that under the Binveriya Scheme, if a recipients spouse had received land, they would only be eligible for a flat if they were to agree to forego the property.

That condition has now been dissolved and changed due to the public expressing their concern over the fact that that condition hadn't been included in the original writing, along with the condition itself being a concern as well.

The Ministry said they came to this conclusion due to the fact that it would still take a decent amount of time for people to be able to move out to and live at Hulhumale' Phase 3 and Giraavaru.

"Concerning the list announced by the Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure on 15th November 2023, the people chosen for the Binveriya Scheme would not have received a letter ineligibility if their spouse were to have acquired land," as per the announcement from the Ministry.

Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation is gearing up for the agreement signing for individuals eligible for flats.

The Gedhoruveriya Scheme run by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had just 1,820 people be eligible, even though there were a lot more names put on the list, said the Housing Ministry. However, the current government has ruled that flats will be given to the individuals on the list made by the previous government.

Under Article 3 of the policy on giving state land under the Binveriya scheme, as a condition for acquiring land under the scheme, an individual should not have a plot over 600 sq ft or have registered under a housing scheme in the "Male' area [Male', Hulhumale', Vilingili]". If an individual were to have a plot of 600 sq ft registered under their name, it was to be given up. This condition only states plots in Male' and nowhere else.

The latter change was made by the Minister Dr. Abdullah Muththalib stating that the agreement was changed because the agreements made by the state should not contradict the law.

On a post made by Muththalib, he highlighted the parameters of giving out plots for the purposes of people living on said plots, using a screenshot of Article 11 under the Maldivian Land Act.

According to Article 11 (a) of the Maldivian Land Act, "State dwellings shall be issued to Maldivian citizens who do not have a state dwelling or a private dwelling or a flat from a government constructed building or from a co-owned building or a part of a state or private dwelling that has been divided in accordance with section 15 of this Act. However this Act shall not prohibit the issuing of a state dwelling to a person who relinquishes his/her ownership of a part of a state or private dwelling that has been divided in accordance with section 15 of this Act or relinquishes his/her ownership of a flat from a government constructed building or from a co-owned building or on a condition that the person relinquishes his/her ownership of the aforesaid properties."

Part (c) of the same Article states that, "No person shall be issued with more than one dwelling in a particular island however an additional dwelling can be issued at another island for residential purposes on a lease specified by the government in accordance with the regulations made under this Act."