NFP agrees to receive new increased parliamentary allowances under some conditions

The National Federation Party has agreed to receive the new increased parliamentary allowances under some conditions.

The new increased parliamentary allowances were approved by Parliament in September, last year and the NFP had opposed it.

NFP’s leader, Professor Biman Prasad and Prem Singh had voted against the increase and they wanted to be paid the old allowance rate.

Professor, Biman Prasad and Prem Singh have stated that they will accept the new rates only if Parliament provides them with a breakdown of emoluments that they would have received on the old rate before 29th September last year.

The Party has also decided that the excess allowances paid under the new rate will be deposited into the NFP Relief and Welfare Accounts to be used for charitable, welfare and relief purposes.

Prasad and Singh have stated that they will not personally and financially benefit from the increased emoluments paid to them.

Prasad and Singh have sent a letter to the Secretary General of Parliament, Viniana Namosimalua in this regard.

Both have also highlighted that they are unable to accept the fact that paying reduced allowances under the old rate constitutes a breach of Parliamentary Remunerations Decree 2014.

The NFP has also questioned the legal advice provided to the office of the Parliament saying they have not been provided a copy of such advice.

The Party has further stated that it presumes the legal advice has been provided by the Solicitor General’s Office, which is not an independent office but a State Law Office and report to the Attorney General who is the Minister responsible for Parliament.

We have spoken to the Secretary General of Parliament, Viniana Namosimalua about NFP’s letter and a response is expected soon.