Opposition Member of Parliament, Ketan Lal, has labeled the 2024-2025 National Budget as a “runaway bulldozer,” posing significant threats to Fiji’s economic stability and future.
During the Budget debate in Parliament, Lal asserted that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad is mismanaging the economy.
Lal claimed the Budget exhibits the Government’s fear of addressing the truth and the pressing needs of the Fijian populace, calling it a betrayal of trust and a gross neglect of duty.
“The Budget is not just flawed; it underscores their failures and lack of wisdom in leading our country. The Government has prioritized political games and incompetence over responsible financial management,” said Lal.
He criticized the Budget for neglecting the voices and needs of the Fijian people, noting that it has received nearly no input from the general population of Fiji.
The Independent MP further accused the Government of operating in a bubble, disconnected from the actual circumstances on the ground.
Lal stated that Professor Prasad has failed to engage with the people, with many expressing deep dissatisfaction with his performance.
The Budget, according to Lal, not only fails to address the high cost of living but also burdens Fijians further with an increased 15 percent VAT.
“I urge the Prime Minister to reconsider his stance on the 15 percent VAT. Reverting these taxes would ease the burden on countless families,” Lal added.
He warned that if the Government continued with these high taxes, the impact on consumers would be devastating, leading to higher prices for goods and services and making it harder for the average Fijian to make ends meet.