As a number of criticisms have been leveled against the interim government for considering the proposal from an Indian consultant to de-reserve all the native land to revive the sugar industry, Interim Finance and Sugar Minister Mahendra Chaudhry has today stressed that the Native Land Trust Board and the landowners will have the final say on the proposal.
In an exclusive interview with Village News, Chaudhry said he will not politicise the issue as the landowners will be the ones who will decide on the future arrangements for native land.
Although NLTB is considering the proposal Chaudhry said there are real benefits for the indigenous Fijian landowners.
Chaudhry also said critics should stop saying that he is behind the proposal to de-reserve the native land.
The report by the consultant from India, Doctor M Krishnamurti to the Sugar Ministry, has recommended all native land be de-reserved. The native reserve is the land set aside for each mataqali for its planting and to support the landowning unit's needs.
The reserved land is not to be leased out as it is arable land for the mataqali's needs.
Doctor Krishnamurti's report has recommended that the 4 hectare lots for cane farming are uneconomical and 40 to 400 hectare farms are more viable. He also recommends that all investments on the proposed farms be carried out by the lessee and the lease terms be a minimum of 75 years.
NLTB spokesperson, Ro Alipate Mataitini said while the report is just a proposal which will be discussed by the newly formed Committee for Better Utilisation of Land, the NLTB makes it very clear that no native land can be de-reserved without the consent of majority of the landowners.
Acting Interim Prime Minister, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau said the issue will be discussed in the next cabinet meeting.
Chaudhry stresses Non-involvement in Proposal
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