There are many measures in the budget to help our people - Prof. Prasad

There are many measures in the budget to help our people - Prof. Prasad

By Rashika Kumar
01/08/2023
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Prof. Biman Prasad

There are many measures in the budget which are designed to help our people, particularly those in the lower income category and are being ignored by critics who are hell bent on gaining some political mileage.

This has been highlighted by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad who says critics must firstly understand that 22 items including prescribed medicine have zero vat.

He says in addition to that, the government has reduced duty on items that most people consume daily such as meat where prices are expected to go down.

Prof. Prasad says the critics do not talk about the increases in social welfare allowances in all categories, increase in social pension rates and increases in health, agriculture, and education budgets.

He says the forgiving of TELS loans has helped more than 50,000 families who do not now have a burden of paying their debts.

The Deputy Prime Minister says this is a huge relief to thousands of young people and their parents and these savings obviously is an addition to their take home pay.

He further says they also forget that soon after the coalition came into government, it provided $200 each for more than 214,000 students to get back to school.

Prof. Prasad says additionally, $45 million has again been allocated in the 2023-2024 budget to continue the back-to-school support.

He says this means that again, before the school opens in January 2024, more than 200,000 children right from preschool to high school will get $200 each to support them getting back to school.

Prof. Prasad says critics know that 2023-2024 budget is a well thought out and balanced budget which looks after our people in the lower income categories but also ensures that government earns enough revenue to deal with the massive debt burden and to fix our deteriorating infrastructure in health, roads and water.

viber-image-2023-08-02-08-56-42-901

FEATURE NEWS
Bau delegation presents traditional gifts to Tui Nayau ahead of installation as Tui Lau
In recognition of the strong ties between Lau and the chiefly island of Bau, the Bauan delegation has presented its tradition gift to the Tui Nayau, R...
13 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Māori and Vuanirewa chiefly families reconnect through Tui Lau installation
The Māori Queen, Te Arikinui Kuini Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō, and her family have been looking forward to witnessing the installation of the Sau kei ...
10 hours ago

Lakeba Sub-divisional Hospital celebrate 50th anniversary
It was a day of celebration as the staff of Lakeba Sub-divisional Hospital celebrated the hospital's 50th anniversary with the daughter of the late ...
11 hours ago

Positive signs for Fiji as tariff talks continue ahead of extended August 1 deadline
As U.S. President Donald Trump's deadline for increased tariffs has been extended, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman ...
12 hours ago

FCCC warns of AI-generated deepfake scam using fake news video and investment claims
People are being alerted to a highly deceptive scam video currently circulating online which is a deepfake, generated using artificial intelligence ...
12 hours ago

Radrodro urges students to research TSLS programs and choose career paths Fiji needs
Students should also know and do research about programs in the TSLS and not follow their friends while enrolling in courses that they regret ...
14 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Professor Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on the 2025/2026 National Budget.
19 hours ago

Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
3 days ago

CFL 40th Birthday
CFL’s 40th Anniversary celebrations to culminate with free concert at Albert Park on ...
6 days ago

TOP