Opposition MP Premila Kumar criticized the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance for attempting to promote the National Development Plan in a persuasive manner, claiming that the public is not receptive to it. During her response to Professor Biman Prasad’s Ministerial Statement on the plan, Kumar raised concerns about how the everyday experiences of people reflect their opinions on the initiative.
She questioned how citizens perceive their financial situations while shopping for groceries, obtaining medications, or interacting with various service providers, such as lawyers and doctors. Kumar emphasized that the costs incurred by citizens for essential services, including electricity and water, must also be considered.
While acknowledging claims of a thriving economy, Kumar queried whether this prosperity is genuinely felt by the populace and how it impacts their lives directly. She dismissed the National Development Plan as an unrealistic promise that fails to tackle the pressing challenges currently faced by the community.
Kumar urged the Deputy Prime Minister to improve his efforts in addressing these concerns and scrutinized Professor Prasad’s aspirations to elevate the country to high-income status. She concluded by highlighting the achievements of the Bainimarama Government in advancing from a low-income to a middle-income country.