Parliament Revokes Decision on VIP Lounge Services at VIA

The General Purpose Committee of the parliament has reversed its decision regarding access to VIP lounge services at Velana International Airport (VIA), limiting eligibility to family members only, following a series of deliberations.

Previously, access to the VIP lounge was extended to all individuals accompanying MPs, a policy in effect since the 17th and 18th parliamentary sessions. However, during the 19th parliament, regulations were amended to restrict access exclusively to spouses, children, and parents of MPs.

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Subsequently, the committee revisited this amendment, initially agreeing to include two additional companions per MP in the eligibility criteria. This proposal, though agreed upon earlier in a committee session, remained pending.

However, following an emergency meeting convened at 21:00 hrs yesterday, Committee Chairperson and Hulhudhoo Constituency MP, Mohamed Shahid announced a revision to this decision. Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla’s recommendation to reconsider the motion, citing economic considerations, influenced the committee’s reversal.

Ibrahim Didi, MP for Feydhoo Constituency, further proposed the complete withdrawal of the amendment restricting VIP lounge access to MPs and their families. This proposal gained unanimous approval during the committee session, resulting in the motion being rejected.

Efforts are now focused on finalising parliamentary regulations, with completion expected by the end of July.