Opposition MP Premila Kumar has criticized the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister for promoting the National Development Plan, likening it to a sales pitch that no one seems to believe. During her response to Professor Biman Prasad’s statements on the plan, Kumar emphasized the importance of understanding public sentiment towards the initiative.
Kumar raised crucial questions about the everyday experiences of citizens, asking how they feel when shopping for groceries, obtaining medications at pharmacies, or engaging with various service providers such as lawyers and doctors. She pointed out that the cost of living, reflected in bills for electricity and water, greatly affects how individuals perceive economic progress.
She contended that while claims are made about the economy’s success, the tangible benefits are not reaching the people. Kumar described the National Development Plan as a “utopia” that fails to tackle the immediate challenges faced by citizens, questioning its practical effectiveness.
Kumar urged the Deputy Prime Minister to improve his efforts in communicating the plan’s value. Furthermore, she challenged Professor Prasad’s ambition to elevate the country to a high-income status, asserting that the previous Bainimarama Government had successfully advanced the nation from no income to a middle-income status.