The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines PRINTER SCANNER COPIER FAX Color scan, Fax forward to email, Network scan, PC/Walkup Fax, Copy/Print speed of up to 35ppm, USB 2.0
FRIDAY,
JANUARY 30, 2015
VOLUME 109, No.05
www.thevincentian.com
EC$1.50
Budget 2015: Increased tariffs coming
The five caskets lay side by side.
for staff members, Da Santos recalled. SOME JOURNEYED BY CAR, truck And they shared a brotherly and bus. Others were seen making love like no other. It was said the trek on foot from neighbouring North Union Secondary that Jamalie went back into the villages. water to look for his younger All headed for Fancy to bid St Clair Da Santos, Principal brother — they ultimately met farewell to the five young lives of the North Union Secondary their death. that were taken during the tragic School, the institution which has Chanstacia Stay was accident which occurred on the been most affected, with 14 remembered as an “ardent morning of January 12, 2015. students on board the mini-bus science and music student.” Fancy was overwhelmed with on the morning, referred to Very quiet, except when she mourners, as Jamalie and Jamall Jamalie Edwards as being by far played her recorder, Da Santos Edwards, Racquel Ashton, the best student in the entire said. Anique Alexander and Glenroy school. And Anique Alexander was Michael were laid to rest in a “And the staff admired him for often referred to as the mouthservice which lasted well over his quality,” Da Santos said. piece of the class; the one seven hours. Jamalie was a science student nominated to make Tributes were also paid to with aspirations of becoming a representation on behalf of her Symonique Ballantyne and medical doctor. peers, to the administration. Chanstacia Stay, the two whose “Jamalie and Jamall were like bodies, up to this week, are still my biological sons,” he said. Continued on Page 3. missing. An excellent diver, he would Those who paid tribute to the often bring fish and other food by DAYLE DA SILVA
deceased highlighted some of the positive qualities of the short lived lives.
As expected, hundreds of students turned out to pay their last respects.
THOSE WHO ENJOY a good roti and a beer, followed by a smoke, could well be paying moto to satisfy their fancies in 2015. Among other fiscal measures, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, in delivering this country’s Budget for the fiscal year 2015, announced increased tariffs on curry (powder), beer and Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, cigarettes. Prime Minister and These commodities are among a list Minister of Finance, targeted for increased admitted that meeting tariffs as the the budgeted Gonsalves-led expenditure, will require government moves to ‘creativity’ on the part of raise revenue to afford his government. government’s estimated expenditure of $971.37 million in 2015, comprised of current expenditure of $560.8, capital expenditure of $296.35, amortization of $101.49 million and contributions to sinking fund of $12.7 million.
More $$ for a smoke While no exact figures were attached to increased earnings on the importation of the widely used curry (powder), the Prime Minister detailed both the rationale for and projected earnings on cigarettes and other tobacco products. The Prime Minister prefaced his government’s intention to increase the tariff on cigarettes, by pointing to the existing situation of this country’s tariff on a pack of twenty cigarettes as being among the lowest in the OECS — SVG 2.2% compared to St. Lucia 48.6%. The increased tariff on cigarettes and tobacco products is projected to earn an additional $500,000. This is computed on an increase of the existing tariff on 100 sticks, from $0.55 to $1.55. In addition to the increased earning for government, this tariff, according to the Prime Minister, is in keeping with International protocol — World Trade Organisation, World Health Organisation — which encourage tax and pricing policies on tobacco products, so as to reduce, if not prevent, deadly diseases like lung cancer, which are associated with the consumption of tobacco products.
Protection for local beer With respect to beer, the increased tariff will apply to those brands that are imported. Action in this regard is predicated on the provision Under Article 164 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, which allows the Less Developed Countries (LDCs) of CARICOM to remove or exempt certain products produced within CARICOM, especially in the More Developed Countries (MDCs), from preferential treatment, for a temporary period. Continued on Page 3.