GOVERNMENT has no intention to put a tax on suki.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad clarified this in Parliament yesterday when Opposition MP Praveen Kumar brought it up during his speech in Parliament yesterday.

“The introduction of a new tax on suki (tobacco leaves) has left many Fijians wondering what will be taxed next,” Mr Kumar said.

“These are money grabs.”

Professor Prasad said Mr Bala was misleading the Parliament.

“A very clear reference and answer was given by me publicly, covered in the news media, that the Government has no intention to put a tax on suki.

“This issue has been raised by tobacco companies in the past, and the question that was raised at the Employers Federation Breakfast was very clear about the tax on this blended Pall Mall, which the tobacco company is manufacturing, and we are putting a tax on it, and they wanted a reduction in the tax.

“At the same time, they wanted a tax on suki, and we said very clearly that the government has no intention of putting a tax on suki farmers and those who are consuming suki.

“That was made very clear. It was in the news.

“And here the honorable member comes and lies in Parliament that the government is planning to put a tax on suki.”