A NEW permanent secretary for the Ministry of Sugar will be appointed, according to Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh.
This following a public fallout between him and the current acting permanent secretary Reshmi Kumar.
A video showing a disagreement between the two has garnered public attention on social media, prompting questions about internal tensions in the ministry.
Mr Singh confirmed the change.
He said he had lost confidence in the acting permanent secretary after a series of communication issues, including one that affected media coverage of an important event.
“When I say something, I say it honestly. I don’t like being misled by my staff,” he said.
During the opening of the crushing season at the Lautoka Mill, Mr Singh said no media turned up despite the importance of his speech, which was directed at millers, workers, and farmers.
He said Ms Kumari had told them the event was not important.
“When I questioned her, she gave the same response.”
However, the Sugar Minister said he later reviewed Viber messages between Ms Kumar and staff of the ministry.
“If they want to come, they can.”
He said this showed a lack of commitment to keeping the public informed.
“That’s not the right attitude,” he said, adding that a permanent secretary must support the minister and ensure communication with the public is strong.”
He said he had put forward the name of Dr Vinesh Kumar as the new permanent secretary.
Dr Kumar is currently the chief executive officer of the Sugar Research Institute and a former permanent secretary for the Ministry of Waterways and Agriculture.
In response, Ms Kumar said she wasn’t aware of the new appointment of the permanent secretary.
She said she would not be responding to any queries regarding the video that had circulated.
