Opposition Member of Parliament Premila Kumar criticized the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, suggesting he is attempting to promote the National Development Plan in an overly persuasive manner, yet it is not resonating with the public. In her response to Professor Biman Prasad’s Ministerial Statement regarding the plan, Kumar raised concerns about how ordinary citizens perceive the initiative.
She questioned the sentiments of the populace when they visit supermarkets for groceries or pharmacies for medicines. Kumar emphasized the importance of understanding the financial burdens faced by individuals when paying for services such as legal and medical care, as well as utility bills.
While stating that discussions around the economy may suggest positive growth, she highlighted the disconnect between such claims and the actual experiences of the people. Kumar argued that the National Development Plan feels ultimately inadequate in addressing the immediate challenges faced by citizens, branding it a “utopia” that fails to create real change.
She urged the Deputy Prime Minister to improve his efforts and criticized Professor Prasad’s ambition to elevate the country to a high-income status, asserting that the previous Bainimarama Government successfully transitioned the nation from having no income to achieving middle-income status.