THE Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on Wednesday continued their mantra for the government to withdraw the 2017 budget, saying that if the government were to consult with it, a new budget could be crafted to the benefit of the masses.Championing this call was Dr. Vindhya Persaud. She pleaded with the government to rethink the 2017 budget, suggesting that if the government didn’t want to take it from the PPP, then it should listen to the reactions of citizens.

“Do not give them this as a Christmas present gone wrong; listen to the people!” demanded Dr Persaud, who charged all those who are dissatisfied with the 2017 budget to be bold.
“We must not be afraid! Stand up and say you do not want this budget!” she declared, as she examined the budget measures presented by the Finance Minister.
The Member of Parliament labelled the budget “anti-people” and a “travesty.” She said the proposed tax measures, which according to her are not absolutely required, amounts to “legalised larceny.” She urged the APNU+AFC coalition government to think of the burden that would be placed on citizens, given the new tax measures.
Dr Persaud, like many of her party colleagues, referenced the fact that once the budget is passed, citizens will be required to pay 14 per cent VAT on electricity and water above specified amounts.
“VAT is increasing taxpayers’ burden,” she stressed, while quoting an analysis on the 2017 budget done by Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram on Wednesday.
“When we talk of tax reform, and progressive taxes, you need to have a detailed list of tax measures that you’re going to have along with policy statements along with medium- term and short- term objectives.

“You also want to have the plans, advantages and disadvantages…,” she stated.
Dr. Persaud said too that marginal increases in disposable income cannot compensate for the direct or indirect taxes that will be passed on to consumers.
“The poor will get poorer; the growing middle class will contract and shrink,” said the parliamentarian, who claimed that a “vicious cycle has been launched on the people of Guyana.”
“…where is that entrepreneurial spirit of which you speak/”
Meanwhile, her colleague parliamentarian on the Opposition side, Ganga Persaud, said the “good life” the coalition government speaks of is elusive. He argued that the budget contradicts the campaign promises made by the APNU+AFC and described it as “disappointing.”
“Budget 2016 is a great disappointment to all of us in this country,” said Persaud, who also threw jabs at government’s proposed tax measures on water and electricity and questioned whether the people of Linden would be subject to the proposed tax measures.
“Will this VAT be paid by the people of Linden?” he asked, while urging President David Granger to have his administration withdraw the budget and craft a new one that will benefit all Guyanese.
In his maiden speech, the PPP’s Vickram Bharrat also focused on the tax measures, opining that the 2017 budget “will further decapitate the economy.”
“Taxes and more taxes!” he exclaimed, while questioning, “Where is the good life when there are empty rice pots?”

“Budget 2017 reduces the spending power of the people,” Bharrat stated, noting that the imposition of VAT on electricity and water will have “rippling effects.” Like his fellow parliamentarian, Dr Persaud, Bharrat also alluded to the fact that the budget measures as stated by Finance Minister Winston Jordan will negatively impact small entrepreneurs.
“Our people deserve more, they deserve better; withdraw this budget and let due process take its course in order to alleviate the burdens,” the Member of Parliament stated.
Meanwhile, Collin Croal also of the Opposition PPP/C focused his presentation on several aspects of the 2017 budget, including the administration of the Local Government Commission, National and Regional Solid Waste Strategies and local authorities.
Croal like his other colleagues, believes that the “budget was presented in a vacuum” and noted that while the PPP/C has strong views on the proposed budget, there are other vocal players, including the Private Sector Commission (PSC),that have several similar concerns about the measures.