Dear Editor,

I have noticed that even now and more than a month since VAT was introduced the general public still encounters numerous problems with businesses. Many of them are hardcore and are not heeding any warnings given by the Guyana Revenue Authority.

I can recall that at the beginning of the first month of VAT some businesses were taken to court for discrepancies by the GRA and right away the private sector commission people came out and said a whole lot of things, including that the Government and the GRA were being unfair to businesses and applying draconian measures.

Well I hope that when this happens again the private sector doesn’t cry foul once more or come to the businesses’ rescue because some business people are really overdoing it.

Many consumers, especially poor ones, are still paying ‘sky high’ prices for food and goods at some of these places, while some businesses are still just adding 16 percent to their old prices, which included thirty percent. At first the excuse was that they have to reclaim for old stock that they paid 30 percent for.

But Mr. Editor as time passes, these businesses will run out of excuses. The GRA needs to take action and people should not feel sympathy for these seemingly unfeeling business people. Enough is enough. Kudos to the business people who, out of some sort of regard for their fellow citizens, are being fair and honest to their customers, and have not sky-rocketed their prices.

I also commend the Commissioner-General for his recent comments on the issue and for sending a final warning to the businesses with no conscience and I hope that action is taken against them. I certainly would not be sorry for them.

Yours faithfully,

P. Parina