Deal with T&T’s tax dodgers and companies that abuse transfer-pricing systems rather than “pressure” average citizens who are hurting and “crying blood” over Government’s austerity measures, Opposition Senator Wade Mark has said.
Speaking in yesterday’s Senate debate on Government’s mid-term measures, Mark warned:
“People are angry and frustrated. If they (Government) continue pressuring the poor, there will be social instability and upheaval in T&T. They cannot take advantage of the poor and get away free. The burden of adjustment has been placed on the shoulders of those least able to carry it.”
Mark said while no one can argue that T&T was in a difficult place requiring certain measures and these were challenging times for the country, the Finance Minister’s offering on the situation lacked vision and economic strategy, nor has Government said how much revenue would be earned from its measures.
Mark said the Government was destroying the lives of ordinary people with its measures.
“People are saying they go to the grocery with a basketful of money and return home with a pocketful of goods.
“People are asking why is the Government punishing the poor? It’s as if crapaud smoke poor people pipe in T&T, resulting from the PNM’s approach to ‘development’ and efforts to stimulate the economy with regressive measures. This will result in people buying less and government collecting less VAT...the economy’s heading for major contraction,” he added.
He said Government’s economic measures gave the rich safe haven while the poor were exposed to brutality in the shift from an equitable tax system to a regressive one.
Mark warned that the Opposition would mobilise T&T against the Government if it dipped into the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund.
Hike TTEC rates over time—Small
Government should “adjust” the subsidised electricity rates over time, Independent Senator David Small has suggested.
Saying the depth of T&T‘s financial problem was huge and Government must be supported in dealing with it via a national effort, Small also acknowledged there was a lot of cynicism in T&T and the fact that some people have to live from pay cheque to pay cheque. Subsidies may have to be rethought, he added.
Also supporting the fuel subsidy removal, he agreed it was not sustainable and the “pain” of removal had to be applied. He also agreed that those who could pay more should pay more.
Cost cutting proposals, he said, should include adjustment of the electricity rates—to reflect the NGC’s cost of gas—and that could make consumers more energy efficient and reduce Government’s subsidy on the electricity rates.
He suggested retrofitting government buildings’ lights and air conditioning systems to conserve power. He said ministries should all implement cost effective lighting strategies in 60 days and Housing Development Corporation communities should utilise energy efficient light bulbs.
Small also recommended Government vehicles use CNG or other cheaper fuel for mail delivery. He also agreed GATE, also subsidised, needed review and restructuring. (GA)