IN Fiji not everyone owns the land on which they live. The majority of the people are tenants and the insecurity of land tenure is the biggest obstacle in development.
These were the words of the Fiji Pensioners Association while making submissions to the Constitution Commission in Tailevu last week.
Hari Raj Naicker, speaking on behalf of the association, said there was always a lingering fear in the minds of tenants as the expiry of land lease approached.
"To address this issue we recommend that all idle land in Fiji be transferred to the State," Mr Naicker said.
He proposed that the term "equality" means the absence of special privileges to any section of society and of adequate opportunities for all individuals without any discrimination.
The association also proposed the provisions on fundamental rights to ensure civic equality — equality before the law and the prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex and age.
Mr Naicker said on the death of senior citizens and pensioners, the State should make necessary respectable funeral arrangements.