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Hon.
Keith Mitchell |
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St. George’s, Grenada, May
18th 2010: Leader
of Her Majesty’s Opposition, Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell is expressing grave
concerns over what he describes as an abuse of power by Government to impose new
taxes on the people of Grenada.
Following the
implementation of a 15% VAT in February 2010, the government a few months ago
raised water rates by 30%, increased further property tax and now has placed a
further $10 on the airport departure tax.
Dr. Mitchell says that
these new taxes come in addition to the hardship already created by the NDC
administration, by discontinuing a number of projects which would have created a
significant number of jobs, and cutting a number of safety net programmes. Dr.
Mitchells says the decision by the Government to impose a 15% Value Added Tax
with few zero rated or tax exempted items, on the backs of the people has
negatively affected the purchasing power of the ordinary man and has increased
the number of persons on the poverty line. He noted that while people of
Grenada are crying out about the effects of this tax, the Government is boasting
about the monies it was able to collect in the first month of its
implementation.
Dr. Mitchell wishes to
remind the nation that this is the same Government that said while in
Opposition, that it will reduce the cost of living and will take measures to
improve the living standards of every Grenadian. The former Prime Minister
concludes that so far the NDC has been doing exactly the opposite to all that
they had promised to do when they get into Government.
He said since the NDC
assumed office, the cost of living in Grenada has increased drastically and now
many Grenadians are openly admitting that for the first time they are unable to
meet their financial commitments including payments on their mortgages. Many
are finding it difficult to purchase basic items such as food.
Dr. Mitchell is therefore
making a special appeal to the Government to review its tax policy, to reverse
some of the decisions taken against the poor of the country and to refrain from
taking any further action which can create more hardship for the people of
Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, particularly the poor and the
vulnerable.
