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Dr. Singh must respond to the legitimate issue raised
Dear Editor,
The leader of the AFC Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan is clearly on to something. Why this “higgledy-piggledy” position from the Ministry of Finance on the issue. I speak of the call by the AFC Leader for an explanation on how the funds allocated for increases in the workers’ wages over the last five years, were utilized.
Dr. Ashni Kumar Singh is one of the more brilliant minds in Guyana. So how did this gentleman end up in this reputational cul-de-sac? Why this determined effort from the Ministry of Finance at subterfuge and deceit like a brume? Why make wild allegations on every issue that is irrelevant to the debate rather than do your duty and respond to the legitimate issue raised – a statement from the Leader of the AFC that some G$8 billion approved by Parliament over the last five years for wages increases, has been mis-managed?
Why is it so challenging for the Ministry of Finance to respond pointedly to this statement from the AFC Leader with evidence and facts? Should this not be a “walk-in-the park” for the Ministry, since they are the custodian of the nation’s numbers?
What is deeply concerning for me as a Finance professional; is the Minister’s dogged attempt to complicate a very simple question by importing irrelevant issues into the debate as a decoy to not respond to the core issue. What is he trying to hide?
The Minister would want us to believe that the budget category defined as “Revision of Wages and Salaries” included the “cost of new recruits”. How much more ridiculous can he get? The Boston University clearly explained that Revision of Salary means – provision for salary increase. Plus the Oxford Dictionary explains that the term “revision” as meaning – to change or modify.
Every Ministry has an established strength and thus there should always be resources provided for the established strength in the “Wages and Salaries” category of the Budget, not in the “Revision of Wages and Salaries” category, so this statement from the Minister of provision of funds for new recruits is just a red herring.
This political exchange between a man who is known across Guyana for his politics of principle (Mr. Ramjattan) and one who is now seen as a compliant member of the PPP cabal, demands further action in the National Assembly. I humbly call on Mr. Ramjattan to bring this matter to the Economic Services Committee with haste. All indicators are pointing in the direction that chunks of the funds reserved for the traditional public service were carved out to pay the PPP ‘Fat Cats’ some stupendous salary increases and to recruit more PPP charlatans at enormous salaries, leaving the workers with the five percent only; more crumbs from the PPP.
They did this in the 9th Parliament when they dominated the political scene and they are trying to do it again in the 10th Parliament, totally oblivious to the fact that they are a minority Government with more checks and balances in place.
If there is anything this 10th Parliament must achieve, it is more financial integrity from the Executive. The time for subterfuge, deceit and smokescreens died with the 9th Parliament. This matter will just serve to reinforce the need for Dr. Singh to face the privileges committee after his alleged actions at ignoring the expenditure plan approved by the 10th Parliament in the 2012 and 2013 National Budget. Certainly he is not Caesar and he is not spending Caesar’s money!
Sasenarine Singh
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