The Opposition, Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) led a picketing exercise on the first day of the budget debates.
Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo is of the view that as a result of bad economics, many of the measures in the budget are not in keeping with the government’s proposed agenda.
“In fact they run contrary to the goals, the good life goals, keeping the cost of living down, boosting the economy, all of these things. I can list 15 measures in this budget that are harmful to economic growth and will set our country back and I can list another 15 that can have a big impact on poor people, cost of living” Jagdeo told media operatives.
The Opposition Leader continues to hold out that government’s way of implementing taxes will indeed have a back lash. He said, “we can achieve the objective of growing this country, improving the welfare of ordinary people, ensuring they have a better standard of living; without all of these tax measures”.
Meanwhile, Parliamentarian Dr. Vindhya Persaud also told members of media that in her view the budget does not cater for the social welfare of citizens. She said what is troubling is the fact that the proposed taxes will be transmitted to consumers by the business community.
Over the next four days, the proposed 2017 national budget will be debated before the capital and expenditure estimates are considered and pass in the national assembly.
