Opposition Member of the Parliament Parveen Bala says farmers across Fiji are facing the dual pressures of eviction threats for not meeting sugarcane quotas, while fears about a potential suki tax loom over their already struggling livelihoods, however, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad says the Government has no intention to tax suki.
Bala raised these concerns in Parliament today while responding to the President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu’s opening speech in Parliament.
He says farmers are being pushed to the brink, with little support from the government and these additional burdens could further jeopardise farmers' futures.
He says ordinary Fijians are still seeing no tangible benefits.
He calls on the government to reconsider these measures and focus on resolving the real issues affecting the farming community rather than adding more burdens.
In response, Professor Prasad, condemned Bala's remarks, saying Bala comes to Parliament and lies.
He says this issue has been raised by tobacco companies in the past and they have addressed it clearly.
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