GRA must take note of the substantial sums the ECD victims are claiming through vending

Dear Editor,

With other right thinking citizens I have privately and in a letter expressed my abhorrence for the lawlessness that took place during the protest march on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara. Additionally I expressed my sympathy to those who suffered loss of goods and experienced the trauma of this lawlessness.

We noted the alacrity with which the present promise to have those who suffered compensated. This initiative is in order as His Excellency Irfaan Ali acted swiftly, properly and presidentially.   I congratulate him. I have heard that some persons have claimed the loss of millions of dollars for a single item, and others claimed they have lost cash of varying substantial sums.

In the interest of transparency as it is now become known that these persons work for substantial sums through vending, for example the woman who lost $3M dollars’ worth of dhall puri, channa, pholourie, etc., that GRA will take note and ensure that these persons are paying their fair share of income tax as public servants are. Many who apparently earn far less are paying their fair share of income tax.

This letter is merely to make manifest to the celebrated sentiments of Lord Mansfield which follows: “Let justice be done though the heavens fall.” I am copying this letter to the President’s Office and the GRA to show what is already in circulation so that the incident is not used only as an opportunity to dole out sums of state funds to certain folks but to ensure that revenues are also collected.

Sincerely,

Hamilton Green

Elder