Latest update January 30th, 2025 6:10 AM
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GRA Boss sent on leave
… to facilitate audit by int’l firm
GRA Commissioner-
General Khurshid Sattaur
Acting Deputy Commissioner-General, Ingrid Griffith
After 12 years as Commissioner-General, Khurshid Sattaur, was yesterday sent on leave with immediate effect.
A unanimous decision was made by the Governing Board of Directors of the Guyana Revenue Authority to send Commissioner Sattaur on vacation leave with immediate effect yesterday following a meeting that Sattaur attended.
Public Relations Manager, Melissa Baird, said that the move was made to facilitate an upcoming comprehensive forensic audit of the agency by a reputable international firm.
As Commissioner General, Sattaur over the past 12 years accumulated vacation leave time of more than 200 days. Authorities will now organize for the audit of the Authority.
Taking on his duties in his absence is Acting Deputy Commissioner-General Ingrid Griffith.
Efforts by Kaieteur News to get a comment from Miss Griffith proved futile as she was said to be in meetings.
Sattaur was at work yesterday and left after the decision was made. “He was informed in a respectful way…It’s a transition period.”
Sources at GRA said that Sattaur, whose contract was renewed, is also a candidate for additional leave after he returns. This would extend beyond his employment contract period.
Since taking office, government has launched several forensic audits to determine the health of its State agencies and several heads have been sent on leave. In this particular case GRA has been under a cloud for leaking sensitive tax information and not doing enough to collect taxes.
Accusations were that there is deep corruption within the agency. When Kaieteur News contacted Sattaur he confirmed that he was indeed sent on leave.
“I have accepted it in good faith even though I was very much tarnished in the run up to elections. I expected it even though the current Government when in opposition had issues with me yet I had faith that things would be different from this administration. I guess I was wrong.” Sattaur added that he has sacrificed and turned down “many overseas postings and offered to serve my country but if you have people who don’t believe I deserve the job there is nothing that I can do. If this is how Guyanese believe I should be treated so be it.”
“I am proud of my record of serving presidents spanning 30 years from Arthur Chung, Burnham, Hoyte, Cheddi, Janet, Sam Hinds, Jagdeo, Donald to our current President with distinction. Now if the board believes that I need a rest then I think I need a rest too.
He added that he had major health problems including heart issues yet he stayed in Guyana and served with distinction.
Sattaur also told this publication that as a Guyana scholar under the Burnham tenure he must thank Burnham. He made it clear that as a patriot he wants to “let the nation know that I have given up three quarters of my life for it.
Sattaur who sounded much shaken by the move further noted, “I intend to remain on leave until I’m recalled or not. No further comment.” (Mondale Smith)
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