'Changes can be brought to meal arrangements if required' - Speaker

Speaker of the parliament Mohamed Nasheed has stated that changes will be brought to the parliament's meal arrangements if required.

Speaking at Wednesday's parliament sitting, Nasheed said the parliament received a letter inquiring regarding the catering expenses for parliamentarians.

Nasheed said while meals costs MVR 159.87 per member for each sitting, over MVR 13,000 is spent for catering for each sitting.

"The cost per head comes to MVR 159.87. That is for each day on which a sitting is held. I believe part of the food is offered to employees working here. Therefore, the food consumed by members would not cost this amount", said Nasheed.

Nasheed said if the citizens and members of the parliament believe meals to parliamentarians should not be offered on the parliament's expense, changes can be brought to the policy.

"In the early days when a parliament was first established in the Maldives, the main purpose was for officials to sit together and have tea. Arrangements have always been such that the seniors at the parliament can have tea at the parliament", said Nasheed.

Earlier this week, a piece of cling film was discovered in the food served at the parliament. The news prompted the public to express their opinions on the parliament providing the meals to lawmakers.