A PROPOSAL to increase the Cakaudrove provincial levy from $6 to $10 is expected to be tabled at the provincial council meeting scheduled for next month at Somosomo Village on Taveuni.
Roko Tui Cakaudrove Ro Aca Mataitini said the issue had arisen from the restructure of the provincial office budget in light of the fact that the yasana won't receive any Fijian Holdings dividends from the Itaukei Affairs Board next year.
FHL approved a $20million loan to the Itaukei Affairs Board to repay a $20m government loan that was used by the then FAB as equity investment in FHL in 1991.
"Since we are not getting dividends from next year for the next eight years we have to restructure the provincial office budget so the need for the increase in levy," he said.
"The province receives about $90,000 in dividends."
All Cakaudrove men registered in the Vola ni Kawa Bula must pay $6 including those residing out of the province and those married to VKB-registered women and living in the province.
So far, about $30,000 of the total levy of $67,000 has been collected.
"They have until December and we appreciate the fact that the levies have been coming in," he said.
"But from next year the timeframe for the payment of the levy will be from January to March and those villages that don't pay within the timeframe won't be visited.
"The levy pays for the village visits and other development work but the work is happening and the money coming in late.
"We can't continue to operate in this manner and we need to be strict."
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