Reduction in budget does not mean services will be reduced – Kumar

Minister for Local Government and Housing and Community Development Premila Kumar says the allocations for her two ministries have been reduced but that does not mean that the services that are being provided will be reduced.

While making her contribution during the budget debate, Kumar says the Municipal Councils’ budgets were not designed for a pandemic of this magnitude, and they are doing everything they can to adapt and make sure that the councils’ services continue as best as possible.

Kumar also says as a result, their Municipal Councils are short of the revenue they need to the tune of $18.4 million.

She adds some of the revenue streams affected at this time are rates, garbage collection fees, stall fees, hiring of sports and events venues, property rentals and parking meter fees.

The Minister also highlighted that their calculations show a total of 432 households will be assisted in 2020/2021 with a total of $6 million allocated for First Home and First Land grants.

Kumar says that the 2020/2021 National Budget is made for economic recovery because it restores business, investor and consumer confidence.

Kumar further says the budget is a well planned budget for the broadest range of Fijians, institutions and the broadest range of needs in our needs.

She adds the opposition is again playing with the emotions of the people by giving them a false hope that they would have done things better than the Government.