Time to shut country down for day or two - PNCR
-cites casino bill, VAT
Stabroek News
January 12, 2007
The main opposition PNCR has issued a call for a countrywide shutdown to protest what it describes as the "excesses" of the current administration.
In its weekly press statement yesterday, the party said only through united action could the people protect and preserve their rights, in the face of arrogance and contempt from the administration. "It is time for (the) people of Guyana to say enough is enough… It is time to shut the country down for a day or two so that the Government of Guyana can understand that the people of Guyana are ready to protect and preserve their rights," the party said. "It is therefore time to take the struggle to another level. We therefore call on all Guyanese to raise their voices and demonstrate in tangible form their resentment of the activities of this administration." The party added that it would inform the public of its own programme of action and it looked forward to full support.
The PNCR cited the "uncaring" implementation of the Value Added Tax (VAT), the "mad rush" to pass the Casino Gambling legislation as well as the introduction of a "communist-styled" Health Bill as examples of what it deemed hypocrisy of the promised inclusive governance.
The party said the experience of businessmen and consumers over the last week have laid bare the claims of President Bharrat Jagdeo that VAT would result in a reduction of the cost of living for Guyanese. On the contrary, the party said there has been a draconian increase and the claims that VAT would result in a revenue neutral tax have been exposed. It lamented that while Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh and Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) head Khurshid Sattaur threaten and harass businessmen, the state media is being used to pedal half-truths and misleading information to the people. At the same time, it noted that consumers are faced with the increased costs of almost every item essential to their existence, while businessmen with stocks accumulated before December 2006 are left to determine how to recoup their expenses when the GRA has only made provisions for stocks acquired in December 2006.
The Government Information Agency (GINA) later issued a statement saying that the PNCR statement sought to misrepresent the facts "by creating the impression that the business community is innocent of any unscrupulous conduct and government is wholly responsible for any increase in the cost-of-living".
GINA said that the PNCR in referring to statements made by President Jagdeo had failed to say that the President had "predicted that the unprincipled actions of some businesses may result in an increase in the cost for items." GINA pointed out that the President has also urged consumers to be vigilant and had said that prices should adjust to real levels as a result of competition.
On the issue of stock on hand, GINA reiterated that GRA Commissioner General Sattaur had said that the GRA had long advised that businesses deplete their stock so that they would not be severely affected when VAT came on stream.
The PNCR added in their statement that public opinion, parliamentary debates and constructive suggestions have failed to produce any result so far. "The PPP/C has demonstrated over its long history… that it understands only one language, the language of public protest," it said, adding that the only way for resolution is if businessmen, workers and their trade unions and other stakeholders are prepared to act.
The party also said that the people must act to prevent "gangsterism" from becoming a norm with the introduction of the casino gambling legislation. It noted that despite statements by the PPP/C administration, the promised consultations on the issue with key stakeholders like the religious community have not been held. However, the party observed that the negative effects of this development did not appear to be of any concern to the Government, notwithstanding their inability to deal with the present crime and security situation in the country. As a result, it added that the Guyanese from all walks of life must now support the churches in their efforts and be prepared to do what is necessary to keep the administration in check. The government has consulted with some sections of the religious community.
With the proposed Health Facilities Licensing Bill, the party said there is another clear example of the PPP/C's intention to control and manipulate health services nationally. The Bill applies to health facilities, including health services, places or persons. It provides that no health facility shall be operated in Guyana, except under a licence issued by the Minister. Existing health practitioners would have a year within the enactment of the legislation to apply for a licence from the Minister. The powers vested in the Minister, in particular, are a major source of concern for medical practitioners, who have complained that they were not consulted.
The Bill empowers the Minister by order to close any such facility; the Minister may also take over and operate any health facility. The Minister would also be empowered to appoint persons with the power to remove any document, information or material, including the private records of patients without notice, from any facility.
The PNCR felt it was clear that the intention of the proposed laws are not to improve the health services but a crude attempt to insert political control over the sector, in some instances encroaching on the existing authority of the Medical Council of Guyana. It said too that the Bill encroaches on the rights to property as guaranteed by the constitution. The party promised that it would vigorously oppose the Bill.
According to the PNCR, it sought every opportunity to explain the reality of the country's conditions to the government, but it said it was evident that it has not listened.