PLASTIC BAG PRICES

Some businesses did not wait for long to cash in after the 2019-2020 National Budget was announced two weeks ago.

A shop in Labasa has started charging its customers 30 cents per plastic bag and continued to do so until last week.

It has been brought to the attention of BTL that the shop’s management and employees told customers that 20 cents was for the company and 10 cents for the Government.

But from this week, the shop went back to the 20 cents levy for a plastic bag used to pack groceries.

According to the National Budget announcement, the plastic bag levy will be 50 cents from January 1, 2020.

The shop’s customers were left wondering how the place they normally did their shopping came up with the 30 cents plastic bag levy.

It is probably time for the authorities to carry out snap checks because BTL believes there could be other shops out there charging different prices for plastic bags.

SPORTS OFFICIAL IN TROUBLE WITH AUSTRALIAN POLICE?

A senior official sports official and businessman is in Police custody in Australia.

BTL believes that the man was arrested for his alleged involvement in an illegal tobacco syndicate.

The same person is also suspected to be involved in an alleged money laundering case here at home.

PARKING PROBLEMS IN NADI AREA

Parking seems to be a problem at some places in the outskirts of Nadi Town.

Some vehicles have been seen parked on footpaths or walkways in front of some shops because there is no parking available for them.

A BTL team has seen vehicles parked on footpaths for few minutes as the drivers or owners go to the shops and then back to their normal business.

The vehicles parked on footpaths or walkways hinder the movement of pedestrians.

Maybe it is time for the authorities to look around and execute some notices for illegal parking.