The Ecumenical Center for Research, Education and Advocacy believes that Interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry still should have resigned or stepped aside after allegations of tax evasion was made against him.

ECREA Director Chantell Khan said in terms of governance and accountability Chaudhry should have resigned to ensure transparency in the process.

Khan said while there have been a lot of political comments to the outcome today, their concerns arise from social justice and transparency and it make the interim government's efforts to achieve its goals a little more difficult.

Meanwhile, the Fiji Public Service Association's Nirbhay Singh said they will not comment on the matter as it does not affect the livelihood of their members.

Fiji Trade Union Congress General Secretary Felix Anthony said he will comment later today.

At a press conference this morning Interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum announced that Interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry has been cleared of allegations of tax evasion.

According to the three member Inquiry Team made by Bruce Cowley, Taufa Vakatale and Russel Postle tax assessments by FIRCA regarding Mahendra Chaudhry, between 2000 and 2006 were carried out in accordance with the Tax Act and other relevant laws of Fiji.

The Inquiry team also did not identify any breaches of the Exchange Control Act by Chaudhry between 2000 and 2006.