The Parliamentary Group Leader to the ruling PNC, MP Ibrahim Falah, says parliamentarians are ready to give up the specialized health insurance scheme set up for MPs, but that the scheme was less of a burden to the state budget than 'Aasandha'.
Speaking during the debate on a petition signed by more than 7,000 members of the public seeking the abolition of health insurance for MPs, Falahi said he never believed that MPs should enjoy special privileges that ordinary citizens do not.
He said that he would not hesitate to give up the health insurance.
However, he said that the petitioners are not well informed about the current system.
MP Falah explained that the current insurance package for MPs is worth up to MVR 1.3 million for MVR 24,000 per member per annum.
He said that this means the state only spends MVR 24,000 on each MP per year.
The MP for Inguraidhoo Constituency further stated that instead, if members move under Aasandha, the expenditure of the state is likely to increase many times over, as there is no limit set in the system.
He said that while it is important to express the concerns of the people, it is responsible to submit such petitions without compromising the peace and interests of society.
