Opposition Member of Parliament Premila Kumar has criticized the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, suggesting that he is attempting to market the National Development Plan persuasively, yet it seems to be failing to gain public support.
In response to Professor Biman Prasad’s Ministerial Statement regarding the National Development Plan, Kumar posed a crucial question about the local perception of the initiative. She challenged whether citizens truly feel the benefits of the National Development Plan in their day-to-day lives.
Kumar inquired, “How do people feel when they visit supermarkets for groceries or pharmacies for medicine? What about when they interact with service providers such as lawyers or doctors, or when they pay their electricity and water bills?”
While asserting that discussions around the economy’s success are prevalent, she emphasized the need to understand if this prosperity is genuinely experienced by the populace and how it translates into tangible benefits for them. She described the current plan as an unrealistic vision that promises progress without effectively addressing the immediate challenges facing citizens.
Kumar urged the Deputy Prime Minister to improve his approach and expressed skepticism regarding Professor Prasad’s goal of transforming the nation into a high-income economy. She defended the accomplishments of the Bainimarama Government, stating, “We have delivered! From no income, we moved to a middle-income country.”