AFC’s proposals for budget unfair

Dec 08, 2012 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
It was refreshing to find the AFC sending its proposals to the ruling PPP//C government for the 2013 budget as published in the Kaieteur News of December 2, 2012, titled “Budget preparation…AFC writes Finance Minister on areas of interest”. This is the way it should be and the AFC should be commended.
Among the requests is for the “reduction in the percentage of Value Added Tax (VAT), a decrease in Berbice Bridge rates, as well as a 10% raise in wages and salaries for public servants and increased old age pension” from the current $10,000 to $15,000. President Ramotar has already alluded to a revisiting of the Value Added Tax and it was the Opposition who commendably catalysed the increase from the original Jagdeo $7,500 to the present $10,000 – still a negligible sum.
However the AFC must explain why it has not championed any similar 10 percent wage increase for sugar workers, working in sun, rain, soot, reptiles and mud, of which the majority of Berbicians who voted for them would also benefit. Omission or deliberate policy?
Why no big fuss to re-establish and improve the New Amsterdam-Rosignol ferries for those who prefer a cheaper mode of travel, including students? How many Guyanese can afford motor vehicles in the punishing worldwide recession which has not done any good for those less fortunate?
So when “the party also proposed that vehicle duties and taxes be decreased, with zero-taxes on all electric cars” it tells a lot for whom they seemingly care more. In fact when “further the AFC recommended the restored subvention of Critchlow Labour College” one gets a clearer picture of its priorities.
If the AFC wants to make a significant difference it must reign in the war within itself, unless it has a method in its madness which the public is not privy. Its “request that the budget estimates be placed online” is however commendable and long overdue.,
Sultan Mohamed

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