Opposition MP Premila Kumar has criticized the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister for trying to promote the National Development Plan, claiming that it is not being accepted by the public. In her response to Professor Biman Prasad’s statement on the plan, Kumar emphasized the importance of understanding how ordinary citizens perceive the initiative.
Kumar raised questions regarding the everyday experiences of people, asking how they feel when shopping for groceries or obtaining medicines. She highlighted the burden of fees when engaging with service providers such as lawyers and doctors, as well as the impact of paying utility bills.
She argued that while officials may claim the economy is performing well, it is crucial to assess whether this growth is genuinely being experienced by the populace. Kumar described the National Development Plan as an idealistic vision that fails to address the pressing issues currently faced by citizens.
Kumar urged the Deputy Prime Minister to enhance his efforts in conveying the plan’s significance and criticized Professor Prasad’s aim to elevate the nation to high-income status. She noted the achievements of the previous Bainimarama government in transitioning Fiji from having no income to reaching middle-income status.