Only a small number of people turned out yesterday in the rain for the march against the Value Added Tax (VAT) and the rise in expenses that they face as a result.
The procession got started at the Parade Ground on Middle Street and snaked its way to the Guyana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) VAT Department on Albert and Charlotte Streets. From this location which had been heavily barricaded in preparation for the march, the procession headed back to the Parade Ground for a brief rally.
The march was organised by the Justice For All Party (JFAP) and saw the attendance of the leader of that party, CN Sharma as well as Leader of the Opposition Robert Corbin. The crowd chanted “axe the tax” and “no VAT.”
Both Sharma and Corbin said that the protest action would continue in the coming days, but were mum on specifics as to date, time and place, so as to avert any pre-emptive action on the part of the authorities to stop it. Sharma vowed to go ahead with a rally and march even if he were denied permission to do so.
Speaking to the damp protestors, the two political leaders said that the marches would not only be to protest the imposition of the VAT but also to voice concern on casino gambling and seek an increase in public sector wages.
Corbin said that in spite of what the government had said before, the prices of basic items had gone up. He noted that even food served in restaurants had been subject to VAT to the disadvantage of the ordinary citizen.
The Private Sector Commission (PSC) has been very vocal in its dissatisfaction regarding the implementation of the new tax. The body at a meeting with government officials on VAT made a number of recommendations which GRA Head Khurshid Sattaur said he wouldn’t support in any form. These recommendations included lowering the VAT rate of 16 per cent and consumption tax compensation for businesses.
