Skip to main content

FM
Former Member

VAT measures killing commerce – Jagdeo

140

… as top PPP officials visit 3 ECD markets

Visits to the Mahaica, Annandale and Mon Repos municipal markets, on the East Coast of Demerara, on Saturday by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and other Members of Parliament, unearthed a number of problems being experienced by market vendors and residents of those communities.

Jagdeo greets a greens vendor in his market walkabout as he listens to the concerns of vendors and consumers

The team, which also included Opposition Members of Parliament Irfaan Ali and Anil Nandlall, heard the concerns expressed by market vendors. A prevailing concern from stallholders of these East Coast markets was a decline in sales.

Speaking after the outreach, Jagdeo expressed the need for a more relaxed Value Added Tax (VAT) policy. He stated that what the current policy did was leave more and more people and by extension the economy, deprived of money.

“That’s the uniform concern expressed everywhere that I’ve gone. I was at Leonora, Mahaica, Annandale and Mon Repos; but I’ve also visited markets in Mabaruma and different parts of Berbice.”

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo during his visit to Mahaica Market

“And this is precisely what we’re arguing, that if the Government takes so much money out of the system, it sucks all of these resources from people’s pockets through increased taxes. Take VAT, we believe they have collected net $21 billion more than people paid on VAT last year. That comes from people’s pockets.”

According to Jagdeo, this reduces demand for goods and services on a nationwide scale. The economist explained that this reflected in the reduced sales in the market, shops, the taxi drivers plying their trade and other enterprises.

“The fishermen, the meat and vegetable sellers, the farmers, it affects the whole country. Even the stores in the city, you can see this. So the Government needs to focus more on stimulating economic activities.”

Jagdeo urged that should the economy and consumer spending be stimulated, problems being experienced with unemployment and the exchange rate will be eradicated.

Jagdeo interacts with vendors during his market visits on Saturday

“Cause if they do that, then the economy will expand. There will be more jobs and we will also have more foreign currency so that we can keep the exchange rate stable.”

Jagdeo also lamented that despite bringing these things to the Government’s attention, there seems to be a casual attitude on the part of officials to the matter.

“We have pointed out these things ad nauseam to the Government, but they seem unconcerned. It’s affecting all Guyanese, the sloth in the economy. So I will continue going out and reaching out to people and talking to them.”

“And I wish more of them (Government) will come to the markets and go to people and listen to the concerns (of) ordinary people, of every political persuasion, race and religion in this country.

Other issues which were raised by market vendors included the prohibitive cost for fertiliser to grow crops. In addition, some highlighted that enterprising individuals who do not pay rent to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) would come and steal their sales.

During his visit to Annandale Market, sugar workers also used the opportunity to picket against the transfer of workers from LBI to Enmore. The workers have been protesting the merger, which they have insisted will be devastating to those who have to travel.

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has staunchly been in the workers’ corner. GAWU President Komal Chand had called on the Sugar Corporation to allow the much-needed dialogue that could see a remedy to the situation.

He said the Union will have to consider some “anomalies” between the rates workers at LBI received and that which they are being offered should they have to go to Enmore. Chand added that the situation is more than unfair since persons will be travelling from varying distances to get to Enmore, while the monies have been significantly slashed.

The visits to the markets along the East Coast of Demerara follow one which the Opposition Leader carried out on March 25, at the Leonora Market on the West Coast of Demerara.

At that outreach, Jagdeo also ascertained from both market vendors and customers about the problems that they are experiencing.

Replies sorted oldest to newest

GTAngler posted:
Django posted:

Old news posted already.

Question. Besides the recent VAT on Private Schools, any others imposed or increased?

Actually i was pointing out that article was posted,there are no other taxes that have been imposed or increased that i know of since the last decrease and new additions.

Me thinks if they can get the tax defaulters [Self Employed] to pay up and strengthen the loop holes in revenue collection[example Customs Dept],VAT can be reduced further.

Django
Django posted:
GTAngler posted:
Django posted:

Old news posted already.

Question. Besides the recent VAT on Private Schools, any others imposed or increased?

Actually i was pointing out that article was posted,there are no other taxes that have been imposed or increased that i know of since the last decrease and new additions.

Me thinks if they can get the tax defaulters [Self Employed] to pay up and strengthen the loop holes in revenue collection[example Customs Dept],VAT can be reduced further.

I want to make sure I got this right. With the exception of the Education Vat nothing new has been imposed or increased by the new administration yet this charlatan is going around pretending to lend a sympathetic ear? When I point things out, I am an apologist. Loyalty is admirable. Blind loyalty is stupidity.

GTAngler
GTAngler posted:
Django posted:
GTAngler posted:
Django posted:

Old news posted already.

Question. Besides the recent VAT on Private Schools, any others imposed or increased?

Actually i was pointing out that article was posted,there are no other taxes that have been imposed or increased that i know of since the last decrease and new additions.

Me thinks if they can get the tax defaulters [Self Employed] to pay up and strengthen the loop holes in revenue collection[example Customs Dept],VAT can be reduced further.

I want to make sure I got this right. With the exception of the Education Vat nothing new has been imposed or increased by the new administration yet this charlatan is going around pretending to lend a sympathetic ear? When I point things out, I am an apologist. Loyalty is admirable. Blind loyalty is stupidity.

How about VAT on water, electricity, and internet? 

Billy Ram Balgobin
Billy Ram Balgobin posted:
GTAngler posted:
Django posted:
GTAngler posted:
Django posted:

Old news posted already.

Question. Besides the recent VAT on Private Schools, any others imposed or increased?

Actually i was pointing out that article was posted,there are no other taxes that have been imposed or increased that i know of since the last decrease and new additions.

Me thinks if they can get the tax defaulters [Self Employed] to pay up and strengthen the loop holes in revenue collection[example Customs Dept],VAT can be reduced further.

I want to make sure I got this right. With the exception of the Education Vat nothing new has been imposed or increased by the new administration yet this charlatan is going around pretending to lend a sympathetic ear? When I point things out, I am an apologist. Loyalty is admirable. Blind loyalty is stupidity.

How about VAT on water, electricity, and internet? 

Notice the question mark? I was asking whether with the most recent Education Vat if any others were newly imposed or increased. So the VATs on water, electricity and internet are new?

GTAngler
Bibi Haniffa posted:
cain posted:

Jagdeo pissed off he couldn't place VAT on coke "commerce"

Listen to co-cain and his nonsense!

Co Cain and FILTH in the braid, that must be devastating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nehru
GTAngler posted:
Billy Ram Balgobin posted:
GTAngler posted:
Django posted:
GTAngler posted:
Django posted:

Old news posted already.

Question. Besides the recent VAT on Private Schools, any others imposed or increased?

Actually i was pointing out that article was posted,there are no other taxes that have been imposed or increased that i know of since the last decrease and new additions.

Me thinks if they can get the tax defaulters [Self Employed] to pay up and strengthen the loop holes in revenue collection[example Customs Dept],VAT can be reduced further.

I want to make sure I got this right. With the exception of the Education Vat nothing new has been imposed or increased by the new administration yet this charlatan is going around pretending to lend a sympathetic ear? When I point things out, I am an apologist. Loyalty is admirable. Blind loyalty is stupidity.

How about VAT on water, electricity, and internet? 

Notice the question mark? I was asking whether with the most recent Education Vat if any others were newly imposed or increased. So the VATs on water, electricity and internet are new?

Yes.  They are new.    And an update/correction to some info I gave yesterday.  The average annual salary of the current Ministers is $USD 70,000 per year.  In 2015, before elections it was $38,000.  I erred when I said it was $40,000.

(Please accept my humble apology!)

Bibi Haniffa
Bibi Haniffa posted:
GTAngler posted:
Billy Ram Balgobin posted:
GTAngler posted:
Django posted:
GTAngler posted:
Django posted:

Old news posted already.

Question. Besides the recent VAT on Private Schools, any others imposed or increased?

Actually i was pointing out that article was posted,there are no other taxes that have been imposed or increased that i know of since the last decrease and new additions.

Me thinks if they can get the tax defaulters [Self Employed] to pay up and strengthen the loop holes in revenue collection[example Customs Dept],VAT can be reduced further.

I want to make sure I got this right. With the exception of the Education Vat nothing new has been imposed or increased by the new administration yet this charlatan is going around pretending to lend a sympathetic ear? When I point things out, I am an apologist. Loyalty is admirable. Blind loyalty is stupidity.

How about VAT on water, electricity, and internet? 

Notice the question mark? I was asking whether with the most recent Education Vat if any others were newly imposed or increased. So the VATs on water, electricity and internet are new?

Yes.  They are new.    And an update/correction to some info I gave yesterday.  The average annual salary of the current Ministers is $USD 70,000 per year.  In 2015, before elections it was $38,000.  I erred when I said it was $40,000.

(Please accept my humble apology!)

No apology necessary. Thanks for both updates.

GTAngler
Last edited by GTAngler
Bibi Haniffa posted:
GTAngler posted:
Billy Ram Balgobin posted:
GTAngler posted:
Django posted:
GTAngler posted:
Django posted:

Old news posted already.

Question. Besides the recent VAT on Private Schools, any others imposed or increased?

Actually i was pointing out that article was posted,there are no other taxes that have been imposed or increased that i know of since the last decrease and new additions.

Me thinks if they can get the tax defaulters [Self Employed] to pay up and strengthen the loop holes in revenue collection[example Customs Dept],VAT can be reduced further.

I want to make sure I got this right. With the exception of the Education Vat nothing new has been imposed or increased by the new administration yet this charlatan is going around pretending to lend a sympathetic ear? When I point things out, I am an apologist. Loyalty is admirable. Blind loyalty is stupidity.

How about VAT on water, electricity, and internet? 

Notice the question mark? I was asking whether with the most recent Education Vat if any others were newly imposed or increased. So the VATs on water, electricity and internet are new?

Yes.  They are new.    And an update/correction to some info I gave yesterday.  The average annual salary of the current Ministers is $USD 70,000 per year.  In 2015, before elections it was $38,000.  I erred when I said it was $40,000.

(Please accept my humble apology!)

So would you agree that a review across the board is necessary?

GTAngler

Add Reply

×
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×