Questions are now being raised on how and why the military bust its 2007 budget by a sum of $45 million.
According to the 2009 National Budget Supplement Estimates released, it revealled that the RFMF spent $126, 285, 100 in the year 2007 although the military budget was about $81 million.
National Federation Party (NFP) General Secretary Pramod Rae is now questioning how the over-expenditure was approved and is calling on the then interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry to reveal why he did not let the taxpayers of the country know about this.
Rae is also calling on the Auditor General's Office and FICAC to investigate the 45 million over-expenditure of the 2007 military budget.
Fijivillage questioned the former interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and he confirmed that he was aware about the additional expenditure of the military in 2007.
Chaudhry said this was granted based on issues such as the alleged call for foreign intervention by former Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and the promulgation of the Public Emergency Regulation which resulted in members of the territorial forces being recalled and a number of army checkpoints set up around the country.
Chaudhry said there is no hiding of the fact that the military bust its budget in 2007 and the $45 million over-expenditure cannot be classified as being unjustified as it was used for national security.
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister and SDL Leader Laisenia Qarase said the over-expenditure cannot be ignored and FICAC should look into the matter.
Qarase said there was no use to call in the territoral forces, erect checkpoints and declare a Public Emergency as he said there was no real threat to national security.
Army Commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama is yet to comment.
Military spokesperson Major Neumi Leweni could not be reached for a comment.
Concerns On Why Military Bust Its 2007 Budget by $45M
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