Opposition MP Premila Kumar has criticized the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance for his attempts to promote the National Development Plan, arguing that it is not resonating with the public.
Responding to Professor Biman Prasad’s Ministerial Statement on the plan, Kumar questioned the actual sentiments of everyday citizens regarding the initiative. She asked how they feel when shopping for groceries, purchasing medications at the pharmacy, or when incurring fees for services from lawyers and doctors. Kumar pointed out that these everyday expenses reflect the real impact of the economy on people’s lives.
She emphasized that while government officials may tout improvements in the economy, it is vital to consider whether these advancements are genuinely experienced by the populace. According to her, the plan seems to present an ideal scenario that fails to tackle the immediate challenges faced by citizens.
Kumar urged the Deputy Prime Minister to improve his efforts in communicating the plan’s benefits. She also questioned Professor Prasad’s aspirations for transforming the nation into a high-income economy, stating that the previous Bainimarama Administration had already made significant progress from being a low-income to a middle-income country.