The $484 million that Government recovered from the 2020-2021 National Budget as stated in its 4th quarter appropriation statement was more of a case of budgeted funds not being released because of expenditure cuts necessitated by severe post COVID-19 economic downturn, claims Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry.
He was responding to the statement that was tabled in Parliament recently.
“There was no saving as claimed,” the former Prime Minister said.
“Actually, it’s more a case of budgeted funds totalling $484 million not being released because of expenditure cuts necessitated by the severe post-COVID economic downturn.
“The money simply was not available due to a sizable revenue shortfall.
“As a result, expenditure cuts had to be made to keep within the budgeted deficit limits.”
He said Fiji’s situation would have been much worse had it not received budget support and grants from our regional and international development partners.
Meanwhile, the report said 51 ministries and government entities saved money in the 2020-2021 fiscal year except for pensions, gratuities and compassionate allowances payments that exceeded payments by $3300.
The report said miscellaneous services with a budget of $542 million had savings of $82 million after an expenditure of $459 million.
