Council Chair Rusiate Tudravu.

The Tailevu Provincial Council has halted scholarships for students at various local institutions until next year.

Council Chair Rusiate Tudravu says this is due to the challenges brought about by the pandemic and social restrictions making it impossible to stage an annual bazaar this year.

The Council has spent more than $60,000 on scholarships in the first half of the year.

Tudravu says they’re reviewing the processes involved in the disbursement of funds.

“What they’re wanting to clarify is the approval of that fund brought down to the Provincial level – to the Roko Tui so that it’s easy to access. We’ll discuss further with the PS of the iTaukei Affairs Ministry in regards to that.”

Meanwhile, Tudravu earlier confirmed that there are vacant chiefly titles in the province that need to be filled immediately.