The power to detain
BIMAN: THERE MUST BE GOOD REASONS A PERSON FOR DEPRIVING OF THEIR LIBERTY
NOBODY should be detained unless they pose a flight risk, says National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad.
He made the comment in relation to the detainment of Lautoka businessman Ben Padarath and his partner this week.
He said there must always be good reasons for depriving a person of their liberty.
GOVERNMENT must show compassion by immediately removing the 20 cents per litre extra duty on fuel imposed from April 1 last year, says National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad.
He issued a statement after Government increased fuel and gas prices as of yesterday.
Motor spirit went up 11 cents to $2.24 per litre, diesel also increased by 11 cents to $1.86 per litre, kerosene went up 15 cents to $1.43 per litre and premix rose 10 cents to $1.85 per litre.
Cooking gas increased to $40.94 for a 13kg cylinder while autogas increased to $1.77 a litre.
Prof Prasad said the new prices would have a crippling effect.
“This will severely hurt the pockets of ordinary and poor people,” he said.
“On 26th March, 2020, while delivering the COVID-19 Response Budget, the Minister for Economy (Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum) justified the imposition of the 20 cents per litre extra duty by saying the fuel prices were at their lowest due to dramatic reductions in world fuel price.
“He had then stated that despite the imposition of the additional tax, people would still enjoy one of the lowest prices in the world. This has evaporated into thin air.”
The NFP leader said Fijians had been imposed with four successive fuel price increases since April last year.
Prof Prasad said government ministers would not feel the impact of the fuel price increase because they drove around at the expense of taxpayers.
Questions sent to Acting Attorney-General and Economy Minister Faiyaz Koya remain unanswered.