Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj has questioned the continued funding for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, saying it appeared to have become an ongoing programme after completing a full budget cycle.
Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran says consultations are expected to conclude around October or November, after which the Commission will begin drafting its report.
Kiran adds that the final report is expected to be submitted to the President between November and January.
Meanwhile, Opposition MPs also sought clarification on increased funding for the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission, reduced funding for the Online Safety Commission, and the progress of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Opposition MP Premila Kumar questioned why the FCCC's budget had increased and how the funding would be used.
Minister of Finance Esrom Immanuel says the FCCC's budget had increased by about $149,000.
He says the additional funding will cater for increased travel, subsistence, communication, vehicle maintenance and operations, as well as capital purchases for information technology.
Immanuel says that while there were reductions in some expenditure areas, the net increase for the FCCC was $149,000.
Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya also questioned the $362,000 reduction in the Online Safety Commission's budget, in light of what's happening nowadays.
Immanuel says the reductions are in marketing, public relations and awareness programmes, capital construction and capital purchases.
The Finance Minister says some of those capital costs would instead be paid for in the current financial year.
