A kaleidoscope of bright red...

FROM PAGE 6 proximately fifty per cent of the constituencies. The main PNC/R opposition or other shallow coalition support failed to field candidates contesting in these areas for many apparent reasons. This position is not overly unexpected, as many citizens may have become disgusted with the increasingly exposed untrustworthiness of the cabal leadership.

Naturally, one will reasonably anticipate the outcomes above because they characteristically resonate from the core of the party’s structure and methods. But critically, the unwillingness of their administrators to adapt to fair democratic practices will continuously provide reasons why their rejection is justified.

The coalition with the PNC and the ‘United Force’ (UF) in 1964 revealed that the PNC was untrustworthy. Further, the alliance in 2015 with the formation of the APNU+AFC was a revelation of total corruption and discrimination, which provides testimony of the PNC’s determination to rule only in favor of a chosen few party ‘mercenaries.’ As was done with the UF in 1964, the PNC’s refusal to give any space to the coalition partners, even at the local council levels, was bound to destroy any meaningful alliance as an opposition.

Deservingly, the PPP/C is now enjoying the widespread support of the Guyanese people. The party leaders have worked hard and fearless in crafting a molding framework of openness, inclusiveness, and willingness to work in a transparent and accountable manner that is now materialising a ‘One Guyana.’

The massive development and transformation of Guyana is a reality. Among the many empowering initiatives are the successful housing drive and the accompanying supportive education and health sector push, which will firmly bed the required foundation for stimulating an open and meaningful development projected for 2023 is lower than 2022 at $92 billion, $40 billion or 30% less than in 2022. did not adjust for consumption tax transitional relief and input tax credits that they would have benefitted from and merely added the value added tax on top of their existing prices” (Budget Speech, 2008). demand-pull inflation, and (2) the inflationary impact within the domestic economy is also driven by strong domestic demand across all sectors as demonstrated by the vibrant double-digit growth in the overall economy and in the non-oil sectors. The total estimated cost of the COL measures implemented by the government in terms of direct cost to the treasury and foregone revenue to the treasury–is approximately $89 billion. This represents 11.3% of the total budget, 28% of tax revenues, and 43% of the NRF withdrawal to finance budget 2023. platform, changing our lives and progress as a united people.

Another poor interpretation by Christopher Ram is in relation to the inflation rate where he posited that he does not believe that Guyana’s inflation rate is as low as reported. In Ram and McRae’s budget focus report, Mr. Ram contended that the 7.2% inflation reported for 2022 is the highest reported inflation in 20 years.

He cited in his report that the highest inflation rate reported in the last 20 years, barring the flood year in 2005 is 5.75% in 2021 which was attributed to imported price pressures, compounded by shocks in the agriculture sector. Again, Mr. Ram is incorrect in the foregoing assertion in his report. The last 20 years would span the period 2003 – 2023. The highest inflation rate was actually obtained in 2007 at 14% (see budget speech 2008).

For the readers’ benefit, when the VAT was introduced in 2007 at a rate of 16%, it replaced a consumption tax of 30% at the time. Furthermore, while Mr. Ram may have his reasons known to him only why he does not believe that the low inflation of 7.2% obtained in 2022 which is projected to slow below 5% in 2023, he ignored altogether the impact of the Government’s intervention to combat inflation that would have credibly and tangibly led to this outcome.

In addition, the massive infrastructure development targets better roads, improvements in the drainage and irrigation system and expansive but more affordable food production, which is most encouraging. Guyana is rising, and our people are wiser and demonstrating more vital objectivity in political decisions. Together, the PPP/C will continue to develop our country technologically, economically, politically, and socially thereby creating advantages for citizens and making our country a better place to live.

We must, in one voice, ‘say no to rigged elections!’ Instead, we must sustain, strengthen and encourage the reasons behind the PPP/C’s kaleidoscope of colours on Nomination Day and, at these LGEs, unite our people with free and fair elections.

Sincerely,

Neil Kumar

This was attributed to “imported price escalation, particularly in fuel and food categories, unseasoned rains, and flood conditions in food-producing areas exerted upward pressures on domestic prices. These were compounded by challenges in the transition to valueadded taxes, where there was evidence that some retailers

To this end, as I have explained in my own budget analysis report, the Government implemented a suite of measures to combat inflation which is largely impacted by external factors within the global economy?that is, (1) imported inflation attributable to the fact that Guyana imports more than 80% of consumption goods, intermediate and capital goods.

This aspect of inflation is impacted by events in the global economy such as supply chain disruptions leading to cost-push inflation and

Editor, permit me to end with an irony. In the same virtual panel referenced earlier that Chris Ram appeared on to discuss the budget 2023, he maliciously described the senior minister with responsibility for finance, Dr. Ashni Singh’s budget presentations in the National Assembly, as “dirty retail politics”. Isn’t this disrespectful for him to do so? Dr. Ashni Singh is undeniably one of the most truly honorable and distinguished scholars in Guyana, and in his capacity as a senior minister in the Government.

Yours sincerely,

Joel Bhagwandin Financial and Public Policy Analyst