Govt Collects MVR 112 Million in Fines

The government has accumulated MVR 112 million in fines.

Figures published by the Ministry of Finance show that the state collected MVR 112.3 million in fines and penalties from January 1 to June 17, an average of over MVR 600,000 per day. The previous year, fines and penalties amounted to MVR 66.9 million within the same duration.

The total amount collected last year was significantly less than that of the previous year. According to the Finance Ministry, the government collected MVR 146.2 million in fines from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020. However, in 2019, they accumulated MVR 235.3 million.

One of the major reasons the rate of fines was lower in 2020 was the COVID-19 lockdown enforced in the Greater Male' Area. When restrictions were lifted, penalizing those who refused to follow COVID-19 guidelines began to contribute to the fund. The government also increased the rate of fines for those who violated Health Protection Agency's (HPA) guidelines.

The state expects a great number of fines this year as well. Traffic violations alone would raise MVR 5,199,006, they predicted. They added they would also receive MVR 14 million for disobeying the law, MVR 10 million for violating guidelines, MVR 1.9 million for failure to honor agreements, MVR 8.7 million for staff efforts and fines, MVR 100,000 for failure to honor debts, and MVR 3 million in miscellaneous fines.