– Cost of Huckster’s Licence slashed by 50 per cent

GOVERNMENT, with effect from today, has reduced the cost of the Huckster’s Licence by 50 per cent since it was a burden imposed by the former APNU+AFC Administration on Guyanese.

This is according to Prime Minister (PM), Mark Philips during his comments on the Hucksters Licensing and Control (amendment) Bill 2020, Bill Number Four of 2020, in the National Assembly on Tuesday.

A Huckster’s Licence is paid for by persons who use a horse cart or motor vehicle for carrying on the business of selling goods, wares, merchandise or provisions.
The amended Act will see the vendor who is travelling on foot or with a man-propelled vehicle only paying $2,030. Those who travel by horse cart or other beast-bearing or drawing burden will pay $7,250 while those using a motor vehicle, $36,350.

Adding that the reduction in fees is in keeping with government’s promise to put more money in their pockets, PM Phillips said the former administration which preached about ‘The Good Life For All’, thought an increase of licence fees was promoting their version of what a good life is.
“The ordinary man trying to make an honest living, especially those with very small incomes on which they have to survive, could barely see any profits after all of the ways in which the previous government found to take money out of poor people’s pockets. The ridiculous fees that these people were asked to pay just for them to be able to operate their small businesses is highly absurd,” the Prime Minister told the House.

With the reduction of these licence fees, the Prime Minister said these small businessmen and businesswomen will be able to do so much more and enjoy a better standard of living.
He said government is creating opportunities for citizens to have more disposable income to increase their spending power.
“Mr. Speaker, we are aware of the sufferings of people all across this nation and in urgently addressing their issues, it is critical that we make these changes as early as possible. The relief that will be brought to hucksters all across Guyana by this bill is a testament to our Government’s commitment to delivering on our promises in our manifesto and creating the pathway to prosperity for all Guyanese,” PM Phillips said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, said this measure would be a welcome relief to hucksters.

He added that the previous administration burdened the population with taxes, even targeting the ‘small man’.
“The increase to $62,500 to license hucksters not only led to tax evasion… men started dropping under GRA’s radar; it almost encouraged non-compliance and non-licensing. People who wanted to walk on the straight and narrow path, ensuring that they are in keeping with what needs to be done, started hiding,” he explained.