albert, under the PNC there was no VAT. Further, the PPP promised that it would be revenue-neutral. However, this year will see an increase of around 8 billion over what was earned in 2007. In 2008 and 2009, the increase was around 2 billion, and in 2010 it was almost 6 billion. For the first quarter of this year, VAT has already netted more than 1 billion over the first quarter of last year.
But just like the PNC, there is rampant corruption, in so many things, including paying contractors for the same work over over, squandermania such as on Jamzone and Feminition, not to mention cronyism and nepotism. A lot of this is being revealed in the Freddie Kissoon trial.
Just like under the PNC in 1992 too, we have super-salaries again today, notwithstanding Dr Jagan vowed to get rid of them. Gail Texeira, who was one of those who spoke out against these salaries in 1992, today as a Presidential advisor is paid G$880,000 per month (10.5 million per year) or US$175 per day, and Odinga Lumumba, another advisor is paid G$660,000 per month (8 million per year) or US$130 per day. For purely propaganda work, Dr Randy Persaud was reputed to have been paid US$10,000 per month plus benefits and allowances for the year he was here, and Dr Misir is reputed to be paid the same for the two jobs he holds, totalling some US$220,000 per year.
albert, tell us too about the pensions for the President and Leader of the Opposition under the PNC in 1992. Today, the pension package of the President and Opposition Leader is some $4.5 million a month (54 million a year), or US$750 a day, when the working person's old age pension is $7,500 a month or US$1.25 per day - and these people have to attain the age of 60, while the President and Opposition Leader get theirs upon demitting office regardless of age.
Tell us about these things, albert. Come on.