Interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry has today stressed that he is not deliberately delaying the approval of price increase applications filed by Flour Mills of Fiji Limited for flour and sharps.
Chaudhry said FMF should understand that the application goes through the Prices and Incomes Board before it is forwarded to him, and after careful consideration a decision is made on price increases.
He also rejects suggestions that he has been ignoring Punja over the past few months.
When Village News questioned Punja whether he was trying to fast-track the price increase applications, the FMF chairman said the fact remains that the delays have resulted in a huge loss for his company.
Punja has also warned that following the import duty reductions announced by Chaudhry for rice and peas or dhal, people should expect a price hike on these items.
However, Chaudhry said the import duty reduction for rice and dhal will stay as the interim government wants to ensure that basic food items are affordable for the people of the country.
Meanwhile, Punja met with Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama yesterday.
FMF Applications Not Delayed
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