The Rice Factories Amendment Bill would force millers who are out of favour or are deemed non-supporters of the PPP/C to stop their business operations while new persons entering the industry would find partisan political agendas at work.

The PNCR offered this interpretation of the Rice Factories Bill yesterday at its press conference, where it said the bill was passed in similar fashion to the casino gambling bill. Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud introduced the amended bill earlier this month since many rice farmers are faced with payment problems from the factory owners, proprietors or exporters.

The bill, according to the PNCR, purported to ensure that rice farmers are paid in a timely manner by rice millers but closer examination reveals a totally different situation. The PNCR is of the view the act establishes a number of unrealistic benchmarks for millers to achieve, failing which they must seek government’s approval.

The development has a direct effect on the freedom of Guyanese to become involved in the businesses of their choice. The party noted that it had pointed out during the debates the draconian and communist aspects of the bill and asked for the bill to be sent to a Select Committee, but the request was not granted.

The PNCR stated that it supports the right of rice farmers to be paid promptly but it distanced itself from a situation where it sees the PPP/C government using the plight of rice farmers as a smokescreen to decide which Guyanese can do business in the industry and which Guyanese cannot.