Instead of the ad hoc handouts, we need a proper system to tackle the social problems that are prevalent

Oct 15, 2024 Letters

Dear Editor,

Since the PPP took over the government, we are told that the government has put a number of measures in place and has removed a number of taxes imposed by the last regime which in my opinion callously imposed taxes on data, health care, education, water and electricity in addition to applying VAT to certain basic food items.

We are informed by the President that the removal of excise tax on fuel has resulted in $90B dollars remaining in the pockets of the Guyanese people. Now maybe, just maybe the government feels these are very good measures and, on the surface, it sounds good and generous. However, let’s examine this in light of the fact that we have over 40% of our people in poverty, to see who actually benefits from these measures.

Re. excise tax on gasoline, well I benefit and those others who own motor vehicles, businesses, contractors, manufacturers, minibus and taxi drivers, etc. The question is, has the price for goods reduced? No. it is still moving upwards. Have transportation fares reduced? No! So, maybe someone can explain how the 40% in poverty benefit from this measure. Did the pensioners who received a measly $3,000 increase benefit?

According to government spoke persons, these measures would have returned into the pockets of Guyanese over 200,000 billion dollars. The same question arises did the 40% in poverty benefit from these measures. Not much. Now if government were to put back these measures in place and remove others it means that the government would have retained/obtained $200B.I suggest they do just that, then take this amount and give it to the 264,000 households and if my math is correct each household would receive over $700,000. Well maybe they can keep a few and at least give each household $600,000 a year.

The President also stated that tax allowance would be given to support families. According to Kaieteur News report, the government will introduce a new income tax deduction allowing parents to claim an additional $10,000 per month for each child, effective next year. “This will increase the tax-free threshold for families with children,” the president explained. However, here again if by the end of next year, Government workers would not earn less than $100,000 and the reality is they earn less in the private sector, this allowance would not improve their economic standing.

We are giving and I say we because it is our money, $40,000 to every child in school what about those whose parents cannot afford to send their children to school. How does this fit into no child left behind? It is my opinion that instead of the ad hoc handouts which have attracted cries of serious corruption, we need a proper system to tackle the social problems that are prevalent.

I am advocating the establishment of a national professional welfare administration staffed by professionals to direct assistance to our people. I was advisor to Minister Chandarpaul and there were numerous people coming to the office every day for assistance. Sometimes both of us would put our hands in our own pocket to help people. So, I put forward a proposal and lobbied for a difficult circumstance fund to be established. It was and I ran this programme. We helped people in various ways. Assistance for funerals, grants to do small business or groceries. I would not give money but a letter to one of the stores to deliver x amount of groceries. We also helped people with prosthesis to improve their mobility. This was my baby and it is still operating in the Ministry of Labour. Individuals who see me would say, “Bisessar, I wish you were still there”. Thousands were assisted.

Rajendra Bisessar

Presidential Candidate United Democratic Front

ad hoc handouts, Letters, Rajendra Bisessar, United Democratic Front

Latest News

Instead of the ad hoc handouts, we need a proper system to tackle the social problems that are prevalent

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Futebol Real Brazil executive Naranda Wislon visits Guyana

Windies captain Matthews cites lessons from T20I...

Powell calls for Reflection after West Indies...

Herstelling A are EBDCA/SPL T10 champs

Opinion Piece: Condemning the Nonsensical Guyana...

India produce dominant 60-run win over West...

Features/Columnists

The GRA is batting out of its crease

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

Driving in Guyana, driving over Guyanese

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Instead of the ad hoc handouts, we need a proper system to tackle the social problems that are prevalent

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 […]