These actions would reduce government’s ability to illegally spend the uncut revenue

Apr 18, 2014 Letters

Dear Editor,
I took deep interest in the arguments and deliberations put forward by all three sides of the house in the recently concluded budget debate. It is noteworthy to mention that the opposition has once again had the opportunity to examine, challenge and in some cases cut both the capital and current expenditure estimates of the budget.
However, what has disappointed me again, is that the opposition has not appeared to have conducted a similarly thorough review of the revenue side of the budget. While the AFC has indeed brought to our attention the ‘siphoning off’ of approximately $50B from the consolidated fund by the government from the income side through various state agencies and NICIL, more needs to be done (It is important to highlight that it was the PPP, prior to 1992, which made similar objections to then PNC administration on the misuse of the consolidated fund).
So when the opposition cuts the expenditure side of the budget, there becomes a surplus on the income side, or a smaller budget deficit. As a consequence, the opposition should have thought of and proposed actions or activities to utilise this excess income or attempt to reallocate this extra revenue. Such actions, albeit not easy to convince the government, could include some of the ideas they themselves have mentioned over the years, and in their manifestos. This way, the electorate clearly sees what the opposition would have done if they were in office and gives the ordinary citizen something to look forward to in the budget, rather than seeing so many capital projects which have little or no benefit to the ordinary man or woman, such as the CJIA, road expansion and Amaila Hydro. If the government attempts to disregard the opposition proposals, the electorate will see the true vested interest of the government of using the poor people’s votes to help the rich few!
Now that the budget has been cut by $37 billion on the expenditure side, much of this massive excess income on the revenue side of the budget could easily address some of the measures the opposition has mentioned in the past, such as increasing the old age pension to a livable amount of $15,000 monthly, reducing the income tax rate from 30% to 25% charged on those employed (bearing in mind this group is the most burdened ever since the implementation of the VAT of 16%), making secondary school examination fees a tax deductible, reduce both commerical and non-commercial (manufacturing) corporate taxes, and subsidizing the Berbice River Bridge toll.
These measures would provide a more balanced approach to the budget and give the electorate a chance of having real benefits, especially when one considers the perks, the array of benefits and super-salaries of some staff employed by the Office of the President and some Ministers who’s total packages amount to over $1Million a month, while the former president is awash in over $3million in pension! Further, these actions on the revenue side would reduce the government’s ability to illegally spend the uncut revenue!
Ramesh Persaud

Latest News

These actions would reduce government’s ability to illegally spend the uncut revenue

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Thomas’ hat-trick inspires D.C Caesar Fox 10-5 victory, as Annai...

Stabroek Ballers, Sparta Boss, Bent Street...

West Indies Falter in Disheartening Series Loss...

Trophy Stall hands over trophies for Kennard...

Omari Glasgow, carrying the hopes and dreams of a...

GCF eyeing growth across other regions in 2025...

Features/Columnists

The stakes are high in Guyana’s democracy

Let the asylum seekers go: a first step for Venezuela to rebuild relations in the Americas

A leader undresses in public

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

These actions would reduce government’s ability to illegally spend the uncut revenue

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]