Opposition MP Premila Kumar criticized the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance for attempting to market the National Development Plan in a persuasive manner, stating that the public is not buying into it. Responding to Professor Biman Prasad’s remarks about the plan, Kumar questioned how everyday citizens perceive the National Development Plan.
She posed several questions regarding the sentiments of the populace when shopping for groceries, purchasing medicines, or paying various bills. Kumar emphasized that while officials might claim the economy is thriving, the true impact on people’s lives is what truly matters. “Is this economic growth actually being felt by the public? How does it benefit them directly?” she asked.
Kumar described the National Development Plan as unrealistic, portraying it as a utopia that fails to tackle pressing issues faced by citizens. She urged the Deputy Prime Minister to elevate his efforts in representing the plan. Additionally, she critiqued Prof Prasad’s ambition to transform the nation into a high-income economy, arguing that the previous Bainimarama administration successfully transitioned the country from no income to a middle-income status.