The Finance Bill 2026, laid in Parliament yesterday by Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo, outlines significant increases in penalties for a variety of offences. Among the proposed changes is a quadrupling of fines for manufacturing vinegar or copra products without a license, from $2,000 to $8,000. A new penalty for operating more amusement games than permitted has also been introduced, with offenders facing a $25,000 fine and potential imprisonment for up to a year.
The bill takes a particularly strong stance on tobacco-related offences. Selling tobacco to minors and related offences could result in fines of up to $150,000 and nine months’ imprisonment for first-time offenders, while those indicted for tobacco offences could face fines of up to $600,000 and imprisonment for up to three years.
Further, the bill proposes increases in fines for environmental offences such as removing timber or operating a sawmill without a permit, from $100,000 to $150,000, and for hunting-related offences, with fines reaching up to $150,000. Penalties under the General Motor Launches Act are set to more than triple, from $2,000 to $7,500, and fines for carrying excess passengers on a vessel will increase fivefold, from $200 to $1,000.
The Finance Bill 2026 is scheduled for debate in the House of Representatives on June 10, before being reviewed by the Standing Finance Committee on June 12.
