Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj has strongly criticised the Government’s $800million cost-of-living relief package, calling it a politically timed move that offered little real benefit to struggling families.
Speaking in Parliament this week, Mr Maharaj accused the Government of disguising growing debt as relief while failing to invest in long-term capital development.
“The Government boasts of an $800million cost-of-living package with the rate reduction as its centrepiece,” Mr Maharaj said.
“What a nice way to slide the debt amount of $800million underneath the carpet.”
Describing the measure as “a token gesture,” Mr Maharaj said it came too late for many who had endured economic hardship throughout 2023 and 2024 due to inflation and a lack of targeted support.
He also pointed to the Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad’s earlier statements opposing debt reduction.
“There was a massive response from the Finance Minister when I called for reduction in debt in May this year, but just within two months he brings the weight down by 2.5 per cent,” he said.
“I wonder, did he lecture himself before deciding that the weight needs to be reduced, or was he politically pressured because election is just around the corner?”
