Minister for Local Government, Parveen Bala confirms that in some cases, Administrators and Chief Executive Officers of Municipal Councils refer cases to the Ministry of Local Government.

He revealed this in Parliament when National Federation Party’s MP, Prem Singh questioned Bala whether or not Administrators and CEO’s of Municipal Councils refer to the Ministry for decision making on issues affecting ratepayers and their respective workforce.

NFP Leader Biman Prasad then questioned why this has to be done and why is the Ministry vetting all the decisions of Administrators and the CEOs.

Bala stated that there is no truth in Prasad’s argument.

SODELPA’s MP, Salote Radrodro also questioned Bala whether he is aware that there is $34 million sitting as rate arrears according to annual reports of 2014.

Radrodro questioned Bala on what is the Ministry doing with Municipal Councils in recovering the huge arrears which has escalated to a bigger amount.

Bala says his aware of it and the rates have accumulated over the years.