Problems in the economy cannot be fixed by appointing committees and holding summits- Chaudhry

Problems in the economy cannot be fixed by appointing committees and holding summits- Chaudhry

By Karishma Kumari
Friday 10/03/2023
Fiji Labour Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry

Fiji Labour Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry says the problems in the economy cannot be fixed by appointing committees and holding summits and that the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad has not given pertinent answers to the concerns raised by Chaudhry on Prasad’s statement that tax increases were “inevitable”.

While responding to Professor Prasad, Chaudhry says its Professor Prasad who has jumped the gun by announcing there will be tax increases even before the Fiscal Review Committee had commenced its work and not him as he is only pointing out the impact tax increases will have on the lives of our poor - particularly with increases in VAT and Customs Duty.

Chaudhry says while these may be good public relations exercise but the fact remains that such initiatives are usually dominated by powerful interest groups who push their own agenda above those of the nation and the people.

He says we have been through this road many times before only to find that income disparities have widened further and that the poor have become poorer.

The Labour Leader also says while the Minister seems adamant on imposing tax increases, he is very quiet on his election campaign promises to bring down the cost of living, review the national minimum wage, increase welfare allowances and the guaranteed minimum cane price among other things as the difficult situation we face today demands urgency of action.

He says the Prime Minister’s call for a mini budget should have been heeded by the Minister.

Professor Prasad had earlier stated that this is a government that is determined to address the fundamental problems within the economy including high levels of debt.

He says they will ensure that there is fiscal reconsideration and balance between fiscal consolidation and looking after the people.

The Deputy Prime Minister says Chaudhry probably has not seen the list properly and talking about the lead group.

Professor Prasad says Chaudhry should leave the Fiscal Committee to do its job.

He says there will also be an economic summit in which all the opposition will be invited to join, listen to the people, and take their views into account.

Prasad says to jump and say that the government is not going to look after the poor reflects his ignorance of what the role of the committee is.



Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Girmit Celebrations 2023
The Girmit story isn’t a story confined to one community in Fiji, it is a story that belongs to all of us. This was highlighted by the National ...
10 days ago

Fiscal Review Commitee members, Richard Naidu and Vani Catanasiga appear on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Fiscal Review Committee chair, Richard Naidu and senior member, Vani Catanasiga appeared on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan to discuss ...
11 days ago

Prof. Prasad appears on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad appeared on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
13 days ago
FEATURE NEWS
Technical education environment is a disaster – Prof. Prasad
Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad says the technical education environment is a disaster in this country and the g...
9 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Continue to work hand in hand to serve the needs of every Fijian - Dr Lalabalavu
Let us continue to work hand in hand, leveraging our expertise, resources, and innovation to create a healthcare system that serves the needs of ...
9 hours ago

More people arrested for illicit drugs over the last 48 hours
Three men were arrested and charged in Nadi earlier this week for unlawful possession of illicit drugs, while more arrests were made in the last 48 ...
9 hours ago

Jeremy Renner Breaks Silence On MCU Future 5 Months After Terrifying Accident
After months of working to recover from his terrifying accident, Jeremy Renner has an optimistic update about his Marvel Cinematic Universe ...
14 hours ago

Business Assistance Fiji and Business Link Pacific focus on grassroots entrepreneur - Chand
The General Manager of Business Assistance Fiji and Business Link Pacific Ramesh Chand says phase two of the Business Link Pacific business support ...
14 hours ago

So much wisdom, knowledge and experience in our communities in terms of sharing ideas – Prof Prasad
There is so much wisdom, knowledge and experience that our people, our institution and our communities can share in terms of ideas. This was ...
16 hours ago

TOP