Latest news with #Shandil
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Fiji: Concerns Over Suspected Price Manipulation Ahead Of VAT Reduction
26 July As Fijians anticipate relief from the upcoming VAT reduction, slated to drop from 15% to 12.5% on 1 August 2025 - discovery of unjustified price increases by some eateries have sparked serious concern. The Consumer Council of Fiji has uncovered evidence suggesting businesses are pre-emptively raising prices to offset the tax cut, effectively depriving consumers of the intended financial benefits. Through 530 market surveillances conducted before and after the National Budget announcement, the Council identified a troubling trend: certain food establishments have deliberately inflated prices in recent weeks leading up to the VAT reduction, in order to negate effectivelythe intended consumer benefit. 'This is a strategic manipulation of pricing,' said Seema Shandil, CEO of the Consumer Council of Fiji. 'By raising prices now, these eateries can later claim to have passed on savings while keeping actual costs the same or even higher, undermining the intended financial relief for consumers. This behaviour is not only unethical but directly sabotages the government's policy intent to alleviate the cost-of-living burden for ordinary Fijians'. Notable examples include a fast-food outlet's curry meal rising from $2 to $3, a Suva restaurant's two-person meal increasing from $49.95 to $54, and menu hikes at multiple food courts. A prominent restaurant chain also raised its king-sized pizza price to $56.30, while a major supermarket's chicken pie now costs $9.95 up from $7.95. The Council urges transparency and accountability to ensure the VAT reduction delivers its promised advantages to the public. 'We are extremely concerned that such behaviour not only rips off consumers but also erodes public trust in the fairness of the market. The VAT reduction has been announced to provide financial relief to Fijians, not to pad the margins of restaurants and eateries,' Ms. Shandil said. The Council notes that food establishments are often harder to monitor due to variable pricing and the ease with which cost justifications, such as ingredient or labor costs, can be used to mask unjustified increases. When traders manipulate prices to suit their own interests, especially under the guise of 'justified' cost increases, it sends a clear message that consumer welfare is secondary. This erosion of trust damages the relationship between businesses and the public, and if left unchecked, can weaken confidence in the broader market system. The Council firmly believes that ethical conduct and transparency must be upheld, particularly during times when government initiatives are aimed at easing the cost-of-living burden for ordinary Fijians. The Council is urging all traders and businesses to act responsibly and ensure that the benefits of the upcoming VAT reduction are fully passed on to consumers. This is not just a matter of regulatory compliance, it reflects their broader duty of care and ethical responsibility to the public. As essential players in the economy, businesses must align their pricing practices with the government's objective of easing the cost of living for all Fijians. Absorbing the VAT cut for profit undermines consumer trust and defeats the purpose of a policy designed to provide financial relief. Consumers are the backbone of every business, and treating them fairly through transparent and ethical pricing is vital, not only for maintaining customer loyalty and brand integrity, but also for upholding the principles of a just and fair marketplace. Consumers are also encouraged to retain receipts and, where possible, compare past and present prices of the same item or meal. If a price increase is suspected, consumers should keep both the old and new receipts or take photos showing the change and report the matter to the Consumer Council of Fiji by calling toll-free 155 or emailing complaints@
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Consumer Watchdog Warns Fijians About Auckland-Based Tiktokker's Money-Making Scheme
Fiji's consumer watchdog is warning Fijians to stay away from a TikTok "business opportunity" run out of Auckland. The Consumer Council of Fiji (CCF) issued a warning on 11 July about a series of viral TikToks that encourage viewers to pay upfront "joining fees" with promises of instant earnings. The TikToker has amassed tens of thousands of views on videos promoting "LiveGood", a multi-level marketing (MLM) company based in Florida that sells nutrition supplements. "An individual named Ricky Nair LG, reportedly based in New Zealand, is actively promoting this scheme in Fiji. It promises high returns through 'matrix spillover' and encourages people to pay a US$49.95 joining fee and a monthly US$9.95 subscription." "It resembles a pyramid scheme, where earnings are based solely on recruiting others. It promises unrealistic weekly payments of up to $1000 for simply signing others up." Council CEO Seema Shandil told RNZ Pacific that they want to prevent Fijians from falling for online scams before too much money is lost. "We are trying to raise [awareness]...we have experienced it, and we know that eventually this is going to fall apart and people are going to lose heaps." LiveGood's MLM structure involves sellers who improve their ranking by selling products, getting customers to pay for a US$9.95 a month membership, and by recruiting, or "sponsoring", more sellers. The sellers earn a 2.5 percent commission on products sold, passing the rest of their revenue up to their sponsor, who would in turn pay a share up to theirs, and so on. In his videos, Nair often refers to "matrix spillover" as a means of earning income through Livegood. The "matrix" refers to a hierarchical structure of sellers, with their sponsors above them. Members may then recruit their own, or on their downline, that they did not personally recruit. Thus, the top seller is generating income without having to do anything. "How many he has recruited, I don't know, but he's using all these techniques to lure the vulnerable," Shandil said. While there are sellers based in New Zealand, it is unclear how popular LiveGood is among Kiwis. Shandil said that the fact NZ-based sellers are appealing to Fijians is a major red flag. "They are people sitting in New Zealand, and they are aggressively marketing it to the people of Fiji. So why do you think that doing that?" Consumer watchdog 'hasn't got a clue' - TikTokker When RNZ Pacific contacted Nair, he denied any wrongdoing. "The Consumer Council [of Fiji] hasn't got a clue," he said. Nair said that there are "heaps" of sellers in New Zealand, most using TikTok and Facebook to sell worldwide. "I'm just sending the referrals. If they want, they join. If they don't want, they don't join." He said that he receives a commission for every member that he refers, and that he has 47 members in his downline, with 21 from Fiji. He said he does not profit from their sales. But Nair has publicly boasted his "Gold ranking", which, according to LiveGood rules means he has at least 100 people, and at most 499 people, below him on his "enroller tree". Despite posting that new members could make "$1000 a week" if they sign up under him, Nair said they have to work for it by recruiting new members themselves. "Everybody are doing their own way of marketing, right? I'm just posting that. But if people gonna contact me, then I gonna explain them how it gonna work (sic)." According to Scam Detector, the TikTokker's storefront website has a score of 45.8/100, meaning it has a low-to-medium trust score, and is likely a scam. "This website has a pretty low score, which means caution is advised," it states. Proceed with caution - Commerce Commission The New Zealand Commerce Commission says that it is aware of LiveGood's presence in New Zealand, and they are keeping a close watch. The Commission's general manager of competition, fair trading and credit Vanessa Horne said it received two enquiries about the multi-level marketer (MLM) in 2023. "While MLMs are not prohibited under the Fair Trading Act, businesses and individuals operating MLMs could still breach the Act if they make misleading or false claims about either the benefits of signing up to the MLM scheme and/or the goods or services the MLM sells." Horne said that an essential element of a pyramid scheme is that the return depends on the continued recruitment of new members, not product sales. Another is that they offer financial return based on recruitment fees. "Some promoters of pyramid schemes do try and make their schemes sound lawful. Consumers should be careful to ensure that a scheme is genuinely a multi-level marketing scheme, and not an illegal pyramid selling scheme before becoming involved with it." "The Commission encourages anyone who believes a business has breached the Fair Trading Act or one of the other laws we enforce, to report it, using the 'report a concern' form on our website."
Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Punjab health dept to complete procurement of health equipment by end of August: Health minister Balbir Singh
1 2 Shimla: The state health department will complete the procurement of CT scan, ultrasound, X-ray, phaco machines, and other equipment by the end of August, health and family welfare minister Col Dhani Ram Shandil (retd) said on Wednesday. Medical colleges, Adarsh Swasthya Sansthans, and other health institutions will soon be equipped with modern-day machines to ensure quality healthcare services, the minister added. Chairing a special high-power purchase committee meeting, Shandil said the govt had decided that quality items would be added to the baby care kits, and a total of 18 items would be provided to the babies born in govt and private institutions in the state. The process for procurement of these kits is in the final stage and will be available in hospitals from next month, he said. Emphasising that the state govt has ensured an adequate budget for the purchase of healthcare machinery, the minister directed the purchase committee to fast-track the procurement process to ensure that in future all the purchases were completed as early as possible. The govt is also ensuring complete transparency and accountability in the entire procurement process, Shandil added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Compare Spreads: Bitcoin vs Ethereum CFDs IC Markets Learn More Undo The health minister said earlier the people of Himachal Pradesh had to visit neighbouring states in search of better healthcare. We had qualified and specialist doctors as well as the staff, but our medical equipment was outdated, he pointed out. "Once the purchases are finalised, the state-run medical institutions will offer equal and even better health services at the doorstep for its people," said Shandil. A total of 69 Adarsh Swasthya Sansthans, one in every assembly constituency and two in the tribal Lahaul and Spiti district, have been made functional. Every sansthan has six specialist doctors, and with the procurement of the modern-day machines, these institutions will serve as a model of healthcare for other states to follow, he added.
Scoop
28-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Fiji: 2025/2026 National Budget—A Socially Responsive Budget
27 June The Consumer Council of Fiji welcomes the 2025/2026 National Budget as a timely and decisive response to the financial strain felt by thousands of consumers across the country. This morning's Budget announcement can be seen delivering a meaningful relief through targeted measures that address the persistent cost-of-living pressures affecting households nationwide. A major highlight of today's announcement is the reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) from 15% to 12.5%—a move set to ease financial pressures across the economy. This cut is expected to lower prices on essential goods and services, providing much-needed relief to households struggling with rising costs. The Council has long championed a fairer, consumer-focused tax regime, and this reform marks a positive shift toward alleviating the cost-of-living crisis. Consumer Council CEO Seema Shandil described the VAT reduction as both bold and necessary. 'This VAT reduction is a bold and welcome move,' she said. 'But now, the real work begins. For a long time, when VAT was increased, retailers were quick to pass on the added cost to consumers. Yet, when taxes are reduced, those savings are not always reflected on the shelves, instead, they're often absorbed as extra profit.' To address this issue and safeguard consumer interests, the Government has announced the establishment of a National Price Monitoring Taskforce. This initiative will bring together key enforcement agencies including the Consumer Council of Fiji, the Fiji Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC), and the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS). The taskforce will be responsible for ensuring that the tax and duty reductions are properly implemented by retailers and that consumers see the benefits of these changes in real terms. Ms. Shandil affirmed the Council's commitment to this effort, stating, 'We will be working shoulder-to-shoulder with our counterparts at FCCC, FRCS, and the Ministry to strictly monitor retail pricing. This is not a time for complacency. The Fijian people deserve to feel the full benefit of these decisions, and we will ensure that happens.' The Budget also includes significant reductions in import duties for a range of essential food items. Chicken portions and offals such as giblets and liver will now attract a reduced duty of 15 percent, down from 32 percent. Duty on fresh fruits and vegetables — including tomatoes, cabbage, lettuce, cucumber, eggplant, pumpkin, bananas, avocados, mandarins, watermelons and pawpaw remains at five percent. Other fruits and vegetables such as apples, carrots, grapes, mushrooms, celery, broccoli, and nuts will also remain duty free. Potatoes, garlic, onion, tea, and cooking oil will continue to be duty-free as well. Meanwhile, frozen fish, including salmon, and canned fish products will also see duty eliminated entirely. Ms. Shandil emphasized that these reductions have the potential to significantly improve household nutrition and food affordability. 'These are real changes with the potential to impact the nutritional security of families. With key staples now cheaper to import, we expect retailers to bring down prices accordingly, and we will be watching closely.' In addition to food and tax relief measures, the Budget also includes targeted support in other areas that directly affect consumers. A ten percent bus fare subsidy can also be seen to help ease the financial burden on daily commuters and support lower-income earners who rely heavily on public transportation. This subsidy acts like a small "pay raise" by reducing their cost of living. A 10% reduction directly cuts daily transport costs, leaving more money for other expenses. Furthermore, a VAT refund scheme has been announced for residential construction projects valued up to $120,000. This measure is expected to reduce construction costs and encourage more families to invest in building or upgrading their homes. The newly implemented progressive measures, designed to support vulnerable populations and foster healthier living, represent a positive step forward. A 5% monthly increase for social welfare recipients and government pensioners will enhance financial resilience amid rising living costs. Simultaneously, the elimination of the 15% duty on no-sugar-added juices makes nutritious beverages more affordable, encouraging healthier consumption habits. Conversely, the new 15% duty on unhealthy processed snacks like puffed chips serves as a deterrent against excessive consumption of these foods. Together, these policies demonstrate a balanced approach to economic relief and public health improvement, helping build a more secure and health-conscious society. Whilst the Consumer Council reiterates its support for the budget's direction but stresses that the implementation phase will be critical, retailers are urged to pass on every cent of the savings to their customers. The Council will not hesitate to take action against non-compliance. Consumers are also encouraged to remain vigilant and report any instances where price reductions are not being honoured after the measures take effect. Complaints can be made through the Council's toll-free helpline 155 or via its email platform complaints@
Scoop
31-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Fiji: Follow The Right Procedure When Evicting Tenants
Press Release – Consumer Council of Fiji Fiji currently operates without comprehensive legislation specifically regulating rental housing. The existing framework consists solely of the Self-Regulating Guideline for Landlord and Tenant in Fiji, which serves as a non-binding reference for rental … Despite repeated warnings and previous public advisories, complaints related to unlawful and arbitrary evictions continue to pour in — prompting the Consumer Council of Fiji to renew its call for greater awareness and accountability in the rental housing sector. This is not the first time the Council is raising red flags about such practices, but the disturbing volume and nature of recent cases has made it necessary to spotlight the issue once again. From 2022 to date, the Council has received a total of 1,626 complaints related to landlord and tenancy matters, with a staggering monetary value of $823,610. Out of this, 500 complaints specifically concern eviction-related issues, valued at approximately $253,500. While each case differs in circumstance, the common thread is clear: landlords taking matters into their own hands, often at the expense of tenants' rights and wellbeing. 'These are not just numbers — they are lived experiences of families and individuals being uprooted, often without cause or legal process,' said Council CEO Seema Shandil. 'When a pregnant woman is evicted simply because of her condition, or a tenant is denied a bond refund on unfair grounds, it shows how vulnerable renters truly are in this system.' In a recent case, a woman was told to vacate her flat with just a week's notice, even while repairs were being done on the premises she was still occupying. Another complainant reported being removed because she was pregnant, and later had $70 deducted from her $200 bond under questionable circumstances. A third complainant claimed a house leader, acting as landlord, was collecting inflated rents from multiple tenants and attempting to evict others without cause — all while exceeding the agreed rental threshold. 'These cases reflect a broken framework,' Shandil stated. 'Without a Landlord-Tenancy Act or a tribunal to oversee such disputes, tenants are often left with no choice but to accept decisions that are neither fair nor legal.' Fiji currently operates without comprehensive legislation specifically regulating rental housing. The existing framework consists solely of the Self-Regulating Guideline for Landlord and Tenant in Fiji, which serves as a non-binding reference for rental agreements. While formal eviction procedures do exist under common law – requiring written notices and potential court involvement – many landlords frequently bypass these legal channels. Instead, they often resort to informal eviction methods, some of which may violate tenants' legal rights. The consequences for tenants are severe: emotional trauma, disrupted schooling, job insecurity, and financial hardship from last-minute relocations. The Council is urging tenants to document all communications, insist on formal agreements, and report any illegal actions. At the same time, landlords are reminded of their responsibilities under the law and the importance of following due process when dealing with rent issues or tenancy terminations. 'Evictions must be lawful, justified, and respectful of human dignity,' said Shandil. 'Until Fiji enacts legislation to govern this space, the onus remains on both parties to act in good faith — and on us as a society to demand better protections for those who rent.' Consumers experiencing unfair treatment or facing eviction threats are encouraged to contact the Council via its toll-free number 155 or email complaints@
