People looking for concrete action, not empty rhetoric (Pt 2)

Dear Editor,
Recently, Winston Jordan and Moses Nagamootoo and others from APNU/AFC have hinted that Budget 2018 will rescind VAT on education.
VAT on education is a social justice issue. The PPP moved a motion for rescinding the education VAT, but the Speaker did not allow the motion to proceed. The 2018 Budget must remove VAT on education, but it will not remove the stain on APNU/AFC. Government must return to the people the money it collected on the education VAT.
Moreover, APNU+AFC and Jordan must restore the ,000 per child in school “Because We Care” subsidy. While not technically a tax, its removal is like taxing every child.
This was a programme introduced by the PPP, and was supposed to be increased annually. The PPP had promised that, by 2020, the annual subsidy would have been increased to about ,000 per child. These are meaningful proposals, not merely empty words.
Then there is the VAT on electricity and water. Electricity and water are public good services and part of the social justice agenda that the 2015, 2016 and 2017 budgets changed to punish people. Not only must Government remove these VAT charges, they must restore the subsidies that provided relief for Guyana’s senior population.
In addition, people have not paid any attention to the financial relief the PPP government implemented throughout the period 1993 to 2015, when it reduced electricity rates based on fuel cost for GPL. In fact, for sugar estates which have been closed, the 2018 budget must cater for a special electricity and water subsidy for families similar to what has been provided for Region 10 for decades now.
After criticising the PPP for almost two decades for not increasing the tax threshold enough, APNU+AFC have become ultra-conservative in managing tax thresholds. In a remarkable turnaround, the PPP embarked on significant increases of the low tax threshold (about ,000 in 1993) it inherited from the PNC after it assumed office in October 1992. By 2015, the tax threshold was increased to over ,000 per month. In the 2012 Budget, APNU and AFC demanded the threshold be increased to over 0,000 per month. This demand was made previously also and in the 2013 and 2014 budgets.
In fact, the APNU/AFC promised that in their first 100 days in government, they would revolutionise the tax threshold. This will be their 4th budget since assuming office. The 100 days’ promise has been jettisoned by greed, and they betrayed the working class.
The working class of Guyana expects to see a tax threshold of 0,000 per month and nothing less, because a promise is a promise.
Jordan, Nagamootoo and APNU/AFC have made a big deal about consultations, and have been critical of the PPP not attending consultations. We know the history.
The supposed consultations have been a charade. We must commend the PPP for taking the practical and transparent approach of introducing a Parliamentary motion with their proposals for Budget 2018. APNU+AFC have blocked this motion from moving forward. Now they must consider the proposals and include them in Budget 2018. The people are looking for concrete action, not empty rhetoric.

Sincerely,
Dr Leslie Ramsammy