| KUMAR SEES BLUE: "The document was not aligned with the Fijian Government’s vision and policy and should be disregarded."  The proposed Local Government (Municipal Market Regulations) should be disregarded, says Minister for Local Government Premila Kumar. She made this call during a press conference and said it was unfortunate that a consultant’s document that was intended for internal discussion had been released to the media. “I urge the media to disregard the draft and await further advice from the ministry on an action plan on reviewing the market regulations,” Mrs Kumar said. “Such documents and reports including its schedules need to go through comprehensive internal vetting and input of a number of crucial stakeholders which includes market vendors.” Source: The Fiji Times  | The Lautoka Market Vendors Association said the document was given to them some time ago to go over and make comments. Association president Filomena Ditukana said they had participated in Zoom online discussions with officials from the Local Government Ministry and Lautoka City Council on the proposed regulations.  The proposed Local Government (Municipal Market) Regulations 2020 will hit the most vulnerable and poorest people in Fiji. This, according to the chairman of City General Vendors Association, Ritesh Kumar (RIGHT) “People don’t come here looking for the thousands of dollars which the Government is looking for. They come here to earn $20-$30, just enough to eat, Some people who sell cooked food here earn a profit of $15-$20. How would they pay this big sum of money for stall fees? I am opposing the (draft) Bill, all my vendors are opposing it.." Source: The Fiji Times |
"People don’t come here looking for the thousands of dollars which the Government is looking for. They come here to earn $20-$30, just enough to eat. Some people who sell cooked food here earn a profit of $15-$20. How would they pay this big sum of money for stall fees?" - Vendor
