Minister for Economy and Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed‑Khaiyum says it is preposterous to say that there is no God in the budget after a man said that he does not see the 2018‑2019 National Budget as a budget for the soul.
The man raised this in the National Budget Roadshow in Votualevu College, Nadi that he does not see God or religion in the budget.
He said the budget was the heart of Fiji.
The man said there was a need for real transparency in the nation and people need answers when they ask questions daily.
In response, Sayed‑Khaiyum said the man has made a very emotive speech that had a lot of hot air but no substance.
He said he does not know which other government has ever produced
the type of information which this government is producing for the public as information is also made available on websites.
He says the government has a heightened level of transparency and it does not discriminate against anyone.
Sayed‑Khaiyum also asked the man which other government had God in the budget. He then said that to have God in the budget would mean the government would have to fund churches, mandirs and mosques but the government is not in the business of doing that.
Sayed-Khaiyum says there are a lot of initiatives for the poor and needy in the budget.
