The Civil Court of Maldives has directed the state to pay the outstanding MVR 23.6 million for 71,000 tablets purchased for students in government schools.

The Maldivian government awarded the contract to Maxcom Technologies in 2017 as part of a nationwide initiative to digitalize schools. Although the project was valued at MVR 151 million, the state withheld MVR 23 million, citing penalties for delays. This prompted Maxcom to sue the government to recover the unpaid amount.

In its decision, the court highlighted that the government had extended the project deadline multiple times, ultimately setting it for June 2018, without raising concerns about delays. The court ruled that Maxcom had completed the project as agreed and found no legal basis for withholding the remaining payment. The state has been ordered to clear the payment by December 1, 2024.