Dear Editor,
I have become deeply concerned about the lack of a sense of civic responsibility displayed by certain corporate citizens in their dealings with consumers. I refer specifically to the filthy, and unsanitary condition of some 20/25 lb cooking gas cylinders that are sold by distributors and retailers, and also to the connivance between some businesses and customers to avoid the payment of the VAT.
Distributors and retailers should not offer filthy and unsanitary cooking gas cylinders to consumers for the following reasons: a) it is disrespectful to the consumer; b) it is damaging to the company’s image; c) the appliances that are used, and the area in which meals are being prepared are supposed to be as clean as possible; and, d) the health of the nation is everybody’s business.
If distributors of cooking gas do not have the facilities to clean and sanitize the cylinders that need to be refilled, then they should adopt a policy of not accepting unclean cylinders. This will force retailers to adopt a similar policy. And, ultimately, consumers will be made to realize that they will have to present clean cylinders at the point of purchase. This should, eventually, bring an end to the recycling of filthy and unsanitary gas cylinders.
In the case of the VAT, all graduates of our school system should not only be aware and understand the important part that revenue plays in the lives of all Guyanese from the cradle to the grave, but should also be committed to paying their fair share. When businesses that benefit from the security and other services provided by the state, conspire with consumers to evade the payment of the VAT, it, at best, demonstrates a profound lack of civic responsibility, and at worst, a willingness to participate in a parasitic relationship with the Guyanese society.
Recently, a tradesman asked to be given a monetary advance to purchase materials.When the job was completed, he was asked for the bills so as to determine the balance owed to him. His response was: “Bills? You don’t get bills when you don’t pay VAT.” And this is not an isolated case. There was an occasion when a customer was asked to sign a book in order to escape paying the VAT.
Once a payment has been made for a service rendered, or for an item that has been purchased, it should be the law that a ‘proper’ receipt or bill be given to the customer or consumer.
This offers two forms of protection to the customer: a) in case the customer is challenged as he/she is about to leave the business, he/she would have proof of payment, or purchase; and b) if a defect or fault is discovered in the item purchased after the customer has left the business, then if the customer wishes to return the item, he/she will have the proof that the item in question was indeed bought on a specified date, and at a particular business.
All Guyanese need to be more aware of, understand, and be committed to their civic responsibilities.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
