PRESIDENTIAL hopeful, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary and Member of Parliament (MP), Mr. Donald Ramotar  said the 2011 Budget reflects the philosophical underpinnings of the Government. Contributing to the ongoing debate, he called on the Opposition, last Friday, to step up to the “big role” they should play  in a democracy.
“The measures taken and the expenditure planned give an indication of the direction which the country will be taking…We  recognise that the Opposition has a big role to play,” he encouraged.
Ramotar declared that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has met the needs of the Guyanese people and advanced  the provisions of equal opportunities.
He spoke after People’s National Congress Reform – One Guyana (PNCR-1G) Shadow Finance Minister, Ms. Volda Lawrence  described the plan for the future as one that gives an “erroneous impression,” especially in light of the fact that  supplementary papers seeking funding are expected to be brought to the House.
Ramotar recalled that, during the PNC Government, from 1988 to 1992, the average of the total supplementary provisions  approved by the National Assembly amounted to 57 percent of budgetary allocations.
“… while in this Government, over a similar period, it was 14 percent, These are the same people who are lecturing us and  criticizing us for what we have done,” he lamented.
Lawrence also said the Budget is without “meaningful increases” of clear measures to deal with many social issues affecting  the Guyanese people.
Ramotar shot back that it was the current Administration which removed the Means Test (for Old Age Pension), which was in  place under the PNC, to deliver more benefits to the senior citizens of the country.
Prior to 1992, it had to be verified that applicants for old age pension had, absolutely, no means of support. Since 1993,  to qualify, they only have to be a 65 years old Guyanese living in Guyana two years prior to receipt of the benefit.
“We have, continuously, improved as our economy expands,” Ramotar posited.
He added that the vulnerable, women and children have been supported, in addition to the consistent efforts to enhance  quality of life.
“Clearly, we have been improving, improving the quality of life. There have been drastic improvements under our watch,”  Ramotar insisted.

Impacts negatively
Other PNCR-1G MP, Mr. Basil Williams was critical of the Value Added Tax (VAT), contending that it impacts negatively on  the lives of the poorer class.
“The reality is that VAT has replaced many other taxes. It is lower here than it is in other countries. All the basic items  that the poor people use everyday has been zero rated,” Ramotar pointed out.
He said the revenue garnered through the VAT is being used to raise old age pensions, the income tax threshold and invest  in the general development of the country, all for the people’s benefit.
Ramotar also alluded to investments being made by the Private Sector and the successes of the financial sector, all of  which lead to a better economy which, by extension, expressly, facilitates the creation of jobs and a general improvement  in the livelihoods of the Guyanese people.
“Clearly, we were able to do this because of good management of the economy. We can speak here, all night, about the  changes that have impacted the lives of our people but we still remain a developing country,” he observed, acknowledging  the need for Guyana to leap forward and effect greater changes.
On the note of good management, Williams mentioned the challenges facing the sugar sector and maintained that Guyana Sugar  Corporation (GuySuCo) should not be managed by politicians.
“The people believe that the politicians should not be running GuySuCo. They should not be on the Board,” he said.
Ramotar replied that, it is as a result of the restructuring and modernising process taking place.
“Some of the difficulties we are having relate to the whole question of restructuring,” he said.
Ramotar agreed there are many challenges facing GuySuCo, primary among them is the 36 percent price cut by the European  Union (EU), in keeping with rulings by the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
He said GuySuCo management has been working hard and needs, for the efforts being made, to “beef up” managing skills.
“Obviously, we have to do a turnaround. We have to improve the industry. We have to make different arrangements in the  industry. That is what we are doing, the whole Skeldon project has been designed to do this,” Ramotar offered, assuring  that the challenges are being addressed.
He said it is important for the sector stakeholders to understand what is taking place and the necessity for mechanisation.
“The problems of the industry surround restructuring,” Ramotar said assuring that it has a very good future.
He said Guyana has come a long way and has the potential to leap forward and make greater changes.
“We have a lot of challenges…can we do it? Yes we can,” Ramotar posited.