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Ramsaroop unaware of any lawsuit

Nov 27, 2010 News

“The ostentatious spending and lifestyles of senior government functionaries especially compared to their lifestyles before their government appointments has got out of hand and has raised many eyebrows.”

Presidential Candidate, Peter Ramsaroop, on Thursday, said that he was unaware of any lawsuit against him by Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud.
The lawsuit stemmed from comments Ramsaroop made during a recently televised interview with Yesu Persaud.
According to Ramsaroop, all he knows is what he has read in the newspaper.
Ramsaroop said that when he is able to see the details of the lawsuit he would respond accordingly.
He said it would be a good thing if he is being sued because that would allow the public to join in the debate on how the assets of senior government officials are being acquired.
“Let us see their tax returns, let us see where their wealth is coming from, how they get to own television stations and have overseas investments.”
He said that all senior Government officials, and especially Cabinet members must disclose to the public all new assets and income beyond their Government salaries.
The Guyana’s People Partnership, subsequently, in a release said that it is amused at the lawsuit against their Presidential Candidate Ramsaroop.
“This is becoming a dangerous trend when the President is suing Freddie Kissoon, and now a Minister suing Ramsaroop, what and who is next,” the GPP questioned.
“The ostentatious spending and lifestyles of senior government functionaries, especially compared to their lifestyles before their government appointments has gotten out of hand and raised many eyebrows.”
He said that their fancy houses and luxury vehicles are clearly visible and the public wants to know how these are funded on their government pay cheques.
According to Ramsaroop issues of public corruption clearly come into play.
Ramsaroop questioned the role of the Integrity Commission which he calls a farce that discloses opposition officials’ details while hiding the government officials’ submissions.
He claims that too many officials are acquiring and flaunting great wealth under dubious circumstances while the public continues to suffer under among the highest tax burden in the region, “especially when the terrible services provided by the government are considered.”
He said that out of every taxable dollar, a citizen gives the government at least 54 cents, thus only retaining 46 cents (VAT at 16 per cent, PAYE at 33.3 per cent, NIS at 5.6 per cent).
“How do they expect us to survive he said.”
The presidential candidate said that it is sad that the Minister wants his hard earned money for free.
Ramsaroop and WRHM Channel 7, are being sued for $10M following a taped show earlier this month in which
Persaud claimed he was libeled.
Justice Brassington Reynolds on Tuesday granted an injunction barring the channel and Ramsaroop from repeating the libel which was allegedly made on November 7 during an interview on the “Eye on the Issues” programme hosted by businessman, Yesu Persaud.
The Minister, in his claims, is asking for damages in excess of $10M.
According to court documents filed by attorneys-at-law Anil Nandlall, Euclin Gomes and Manoj Narayan, Ramsaroop and representatives of Property Holdings Inc., the business name of WRHM Channel 7, will have to appear in court on January 11, 2011.
Minister Persaud, in a sworn affidavit, argued that “Eye On The Issues” is a programme broadcast on Channel 7 on Sunday evenings, and commands a very wide and popular viewership.
He said that on November 7, Ramsaroop insinuated that the Minister is corrupt and used words that suggested that he is “using public funds and taxpayers money and funds emanating from the Government’s Low Carbon Development Strategy” to build his house.

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