Ahead of the special cabinet meeting that got underway this morning to discuss whether the duty imposed on bottled water should be scrapped, interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry stresses that he has an excellent relationship with the interim Prime Minister and there are no serious differences.
Chaudhry said the water bottling companies will know today if the duty that was imposed on bottled water will be removed, although the interim Prime Minister revealed yesterday that the duties were repealed.
The interim Finance Minister said it was the collective decision of cabinet to impose the tax in the first place and therefore the decision has to come from cabinet.
However, he said these are issues that will be frankly discussed in cabinet and it has no effect on his relationship with Commodore Bainimarama.
“Well, our relations are excellent. We are candid with each other and we have respect for each other. Our defectors will always try and portray a different picture. I’m not too worried about it. This is what their usual game is to try and see if they can bring about some kind of division within the interim administration."
Chaudhry said he knows that a lot of people want him out of cabinet.
"Well, I know that – yes. Because these are the ones who have been milking this country, for many years, without contributing to it. And they know that as far as I’m concerned I have a very clear view of these things. I believe that those of us who profit from the country must contribute to its socio-economic well-being. That’s how it is."
Meanwhile, Chaudhry had also hinted that his job in taking the national economy in the right direction is almost complete and he may soon consider resigning to prepare for the next elections.
He said a lot has been done and he knows Commodore Bainimarama's directive to the cabinet ministers that they have to resign if they are planning to contest the next elections.
"When I’m satisfied that the mandate of His Excellency has been delivered, and I think to a large extent it has already been delivered, and seeing that elections could be coming soon – I don’t know when exactly - when we also are prepared for it. I’ll make a decision. But of course we’ve been told by the Prime Minister that we all have to – those who are contesting elections – will have to go six months before the elections. At the moment, I’m still busy with work and I’m very happy with the achievement so far. And let me also say that the path to economic recovery is not an easy one. Government has to be prepared to face the challenges, particularly if it’s a government about reforms, reforming the system. It must have the political will and the conviction to see it through."
