I am answerable to the public and I know the issues my staff in the Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar are facing.
This is the response from Minister for Sugar Industry and Multi-Ethnic Affairs Charan Jeath Singh after Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre Coordinator, Shamima Ali called for the removal of Singh from Cabinet for alleged bullying and rude behaviour and the recent public humiliation of the Acting Permanent Secretary.
After refusing to respond yesterday, Singh in a statement today, claims he has evidence of his ministry’s Acting Permanent Secretary Reshmi Kumari not doing her job.
Singh says that, like any other Minister, he also corrected a public servant in a public space in response to concerns raised by the people on the ground and the Ministry itself.
He says it is sad to find that Ali failed to discuss with him first about the series of issues against Kumari and perhaps instead of going to the public she could have discussed with Kumari also to provide her assistance.
The Minister confirmed that Kumari has not been removed from her position.
He says due process has been taken by the Public Service Commission and he has nothing to do with it.
Singh says Ali should focus on her centre's operation and question herself as to how much she has effectively delivered in terms of providing help to women who are suffering in Fiji.
He further says she could spend more time in disclosing how much funding she gets from Fiji and overseas to operate the centre and how many local and overseas trips she has made using the funds given.
The Minister says it does not mean that there is no men’s crisis centre and they continue to remain quiet.
Singh adds he is obliged to take action when the public raise questions and when the staff suffer at the hands of their seniors.
When contacted by fijivillage News for further comments, Ali says she will not comment any further as Singh knows what she is talking about and that she has said her bit.
