Leader of the National Federation Party Professor Biman Prasad says it is arrogant and disrespectful for Government not to accept the fact that they need to consult widely on the Bill to amend the iTaukei Land Trust Act.
Profesor Prasad highlighted this while opposing Bill No.17 in parliament.
He says both Bill No.16 and 17 are really not Consequential Bills and he cannot understand why these Bills are consequential.
Prasad says we all know in this country that any changes to the iTaukei Land Trust Act has always been a sensitive issue and have always involved different interpretations and fears.
He says the Government itself is creating fear by attacking Opposition leaders, by getting police to take them in and get their statements of this Bill No.17.
Prasad says this Bill should be withdrawn.
Prasad says presenting the Bill as a substantive and not consequential and referring it to the relevant Parliamentary Standing Committee for a scrutiny is the right thing for the Government to do.
He says all the experienced lawyers that he has spoken to have said that same things and that is, if it is an administrative and efficiency issue, then why not deal with that particular issue. Prasad says these lawyers are also saying that the Bill is poorly drafted and if it was drafted properly, it might have removed interpretations and fears.
He says everyone has the right to interpret the law and make their views known.
