No one is left behind in this budget: Kumar
Labasa Chamber of Commerce and Industries president Satish Kumar said the 2018-2019 budget is a people’s and family budget.
Mr Kumar said he never misses the budget announcement and he thanked the Government for having it announced in the evening where many are at home and can access various forms of mass communication.
“In this budget no one is left behind and I feel happy and can say it is an excellent budget,” Mr Kumar said.
“There is at least something for the community, individuals, family unit, business community and the farmers.
“As the livelihood and standard of living for families will be improved, the spending power will be more and business community will greatly benefit,” he said.
“Such as a stabilisation price will be set up at $85 per tonne for the sugar industry.
“Persons with disabilities and pensioners will travel in buses for free.
“There will also be a tax deduction to businesses for training their staff.
“Fiscal duty has also been reduced from 32 per cent to 15 per cent for motor vehicles that are less than two years old.
“The plastic bag levy will be increased from 10 cents to 20 cents. “Duty has been reduced from five per cent to zero per cent for imported fruit and vegetables.
“There is also a 32 percent increase in tax for carbonated drinks,” Mr Kumar said.
He added people might have mixed reactions as they do different kinds of business.