State will be firmer - Fung-On warns
by Wendella Davidson
MINISTER of Public Service, Mr George Fung-On yesterday declared that the government intends to run the country with a firmer hand. As debate on this year's budget opened, he told the National Assembly the administration will take a firmer view of things, hinting that among these are street protests and taking matters outside the rule of law. Calling on the opposition to take heed, Mr Fung-On declared: "there is a time for reckoning, and I believe that time has come." "We have been able to give a lot of freedom towards speechmaking, towards views expressed on TV and all over the place, but the time has come when a check has to be made, and I think it is now..." His remarks were in a rebuttal presentation during debate on the $62.2Bln budget. Government speakers stoutly defended the document while the main opposition People's National Congress (PNC) maintained it is still not impressed and sought to highlight weaknesses. Speaking during the first session were Prime Minister Sam Hinds and Minister Fung-On for the government and Ms Jean Persico and Mr Lance Carberry for the PNC. The budget, themed `Working Together for an Improved Standard of Living' and presented last week by Minister with responsibility for Finance, Mr Saisnarine Kowlessar, caters for a 26.6 per cent pay increase for public servants, projects a three per cent economic growth and includes no new taxes, fees or fines. Persico who opened the debate, said Kowlessar was "pitchforked into the position", and noted he had said "the budget, like those of my predecessor, has benefitted from dialogue and discussions, suggestions and recommendations tendered by various individuals, groups and organisations in the country." But she questioned the rationale behind meetings asking how many of the recommendations from the Trades Union Congress are included in the document. She said members of the Executive Council met a senior budget consultant and proposed recommendations, including increasing the threshold to $30,000 and addressing old age pensions. Alluding to the allocation for education, a sizeable increase over last year's figure, Persico claimed it nevertheless was "fragile" and sought to blaze the trail of "going no place". She said the increase in salaries to teachers and others in the public sector - 26.6 per cent across the board - was as a result of the arbitration tribunal award last year. On the new minimum wage, she said there are some teachers whose salary, despite the increase, will not reach the projected minimum wage. Persico said schools were being built in a haste, resulting in sub standard work and suggested that more emphasis be paid to upgrading existing structures. She referred to the high teacher attrition rate; the lack of an on-going programme for teachers; the absence of a vibrant schools welfare department and Inspectorate Division and low attendance by students. Persico also asked how much money is being spent on women's affairs. Rebutting the PNC member, Fung-On accused her of "musing the views of others", including the trade unions, adding that the budget which was described as empty was a reflection of themselves. He argued that the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/Civic) Government has been following the programme set out in its manifesto. He accused the PNC of projecting nothing specific on behalf of itself about the budget, and as the main opposition, not supporting any of the projects implemented by the government. On the issue of consultations, he said it was the government that had opened itself to consultations. He said although the arbitration award is subject to legal implication, the government has still kept its promise. That promise, he added, is to the detriment of some categories of the private sector, a view, he said, is expressed by the Private Sector Commission (PSC). Carberry called on the government to create the right environment, noting there is nothing in the budget which indicates that the administration has arrived at a solution for sustainability. Referring to the problems facing the University of Guyana, the PNC front-bencher accused the government of starving the institution. Evoking laughter in the House when he said the acronym AIDS represented Advance Income Deficiency Syndrome, Carberry questioned whether any consideration has been made in the budget for the creation of jobs. He asked too, whether the country has any intention to move in the direction of expanding value-added to create an employment niche. He also highlighted the neglect in setting up a Tourism Board despite promises. Prime Minister Hinds, in commending his colleague for his budget presentation, added that Kowlessar did not "crow about the government's achievements of 1999". Noting there has been a turnaround of the economy and growth has been achieved, the Prime Minister said it is important that the government remains on that course. Commenting on the voluntary separation package offered to public servants, the Prime Minister said it is necessary and holds much promise for everyone.
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