Minister for Local Government Premila Kumar is urging people to disregard the draft market regulations however National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad says Kumar must tell the people why the market regulation was given to the Market Vendors Associations in all municipalities if the regulation was just a draft.

Kumar has today assured market vendors that vendor license fees will never be introduced because they know vendors are already going through a lot of challenges.

She says it is unfortunate that a consultant's document which was intended for internal discussion has been released to the media.

Kumar says they do not undertake decisions based on a consultant's draft report which will go under rigorous consultations and internal vetting which has not been done yet.

However the NFP Leader says Kumar is misleading the people by describing the Local Government Regulations 2020 as only a draft and a consultant’s document.

He says Kumar must clarify who circulated the regulations for discussion which includes increases in stall fees amongst other major changes.

Prasad says they know that some market vendors associations in Lautoka and Vaileka have already discussed the regulations and objected to it. Prasad says this means that the regulations have been already in public domain and not leaked and the Minister must stop fooling the people.

We have sent questions to Kumar on the claims made by Prasad. She is yet to respond.

A Nausori Town Council worker terminated after alleged case of corruption - Kumar

By Shanil Singh

Thursday 11/03/2021

Minister for Local Government Premila Kumar has confirmed that a staff of the Nausori Town Council was terminated two weeks ago for an alleged case of corruption.

She says they continue to receive cases of corruption on a regular basis and all have been referred to FICAC.

Kumar adds people must be wondering why there are a large number of stalls in the Suva and Nausori corridor which are well constructed like a small home.

She says one of the reasons for this is that some municipal council workers have been taking money from these people.