Civil servants amongst those who owe rates- Kumar

Minister for Local Government Premila Kumar says they have noticed that civil servants including teachers, nurses and Police officers are amongst those people who owe town and city rates.

While speaking at the Nadi Chamber of Commerce Christmas and New Year’s Social, Kumar says these people are still employed and they are receiving full pay.

She says this was revealed through rate-profiling which is a good way to collect data.

Kumar adds businesses know they cannot progress without revenue and this is also the case with Municipal Councils which is why they had to look at things from a financial perspective.

She adds for example Nadi Town Council has rental properties in the Central Business District area and some of the rents have not increased for some time now.

She also highlighted that the total rates owed to the Nadi Town Council currently stands at $1.3 million.