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FM
Former Member

Christopher Ram is concerned about treatment of Kurshid Sattaur

January 5, 2016 | By | Filed Under Letters 

Dear Editor,
Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority Mr. Khurshid Sattaur erred gravely when he shared taxpayers’ information with the Administration. However irresistible the demand, he ought to have made it clear that he would not comply. Instead, he compromised himself, his office and his profession. A complaint of professional misconduct was made to the local and international professional accounting bodies but was later withdrawn. There was therefore no adverse finding against him.
Seven months into a new government, the public learns that Mr. Sattaur has been sent on leave to facilitate a forensic audit of the Authority. I accept that, even with the apparent inconsistency.  What I do not find acceptable is the humiliating treatment he is reported to have received from persons from the Revenue Authority. If the report of leave is correct – and there is no reason to doubt this – Mr. Sattaur remains Commissioner General and a member of the Governing Board of the GRA. He does not cease to be either because he is on leave. It is rare and improper for persons on leave to have their homes visited by their subordinates and computers and firearm taken away from them. In the case of a taxman for whom threats to life are an occupational hazard, the danger is obvious and is recognized in his being provided with a guard and a firearm licence.
I am concerned about the treatment of Mr. Sattaur and about the integrity and reputation of the Guyana Revenue Authority. The first goes beyond the professional relationship Ram & McRae has had with Mr. Sattaur over two decades as he tried to maximize government revenues while the firm sought to ensure that its clients were properly represented. Like every citizen, Mr. Sattaur enjoys certain basic rights which no government and no employer should violate. The episode surrounding his leave and the visit to his home not onlyborders on violating those rights but amounts to constructive dismissal. The tax collection agency of any country must enjoy the confidence of citizens, be free from political direction and control, and be allowed to operate independently and professionally. If confidence in any one of these goes, everything else goes, with irreparable consequences. As a public body, the Governing Board of the GRA has a duty to justify its actions to the citizens of the country. Neither silence nor aloofness is acceptable.
Finance Minister Mr. Winston Jordan, who has ministerial responsibility for the GRA and the terms and conditions of the appointment of the Commissioner General, must ensure that that the reputation and integrity of the GRA are maintained.
Christopher Ram

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quote "Seven months into a new government, the public learns that Mr. Sattaur has been sent on leave to facilitate a forensic audit of the Authority. I accept that, even with the apparent inconsistency.  What I do not find acceptable is the humiliating treatment he is reported to have received from persons from the Revenue Authority. If the report of leave is correct – and there is no reason to doubt this – Mr. Sattaur remains Commissioner General and a member of the Governing Board of the GRA. He does not cease to be either because he is on leave. unquote 

FM
asj posted:

Christopher Ram is concerned about treatment of Kurshid Sattaur

January 5, 2016 | By | Filed Under Letters 

Dear Editor,
Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority Mr. Khurshid Sattaur erred gravely when he shared taxpayers’ information with the Administration. However irresistible the demand, he ought to have made it clear that he would not comply. Instead, he compromised himself, his office and his profession. A complaint of professional misconduct was made to the local and international professional accounting bodies but was later withdrawn. There was therefore no adverse finding against him.
Seven months into a new government, the public learns that Mr. Sattaur has been sent on leave to facilitate a forensic audit of the Authority. I accept that, even with the apparent inconsistency.  What I do not find acceptable is the humiliating treatment he is reported to have received from persons from the Revenue Authority. If the report of leave is correct – and there is no reason to doubt this – Mr. Sattaur remains Commissioner General and a member of the Governing Board of the GRA. He does not cease to be either because he is on leave. It is rare and improper for persons on leave to have their homes visited by their subordinates and computers and firearm taken away from them. In the case of a taxman for whom threats to life are an occupational hazard, the danger is obvious and is recognized in his being provided with a guard and a firearm licence.
I am concerned about the treatment of Mr. Sattaur and about the integrity and reputation of the Guyana Revenue Authority. The first goes beyond the professional relationship Ram & McRae has had with Mr. Sattaur over two decades as he tried to maximize government revenues while the firm sought to ensure that its clients were properly represented. Like every citizen, Mr. Sattaur enjoys certain basic rights which no government and no employer should violate. The episode surrounding his leave and the visit to his home not onlyborders on violating those rights but amounts to constructive dismissal. The tax collection agency of any country must enjoy the confidence of citizens, be free from political direction and control, and be allowed to operate independently and professionally. If confidence in any one of these goes, everything else goes, with irreparable consequences. As a public body, the Governing Board of the GRA has a duty to justify its actions to the citizens of the country. Neither silence nor aloofness is acceptable.
Finance Minister Mr. Winston Jordan, who has ministerial responsibility for the GRA and the terms and conditions of the appointment of the Commissioner General, must ensure that that the reputation and integrity of the GRA are maintained.
Christopher Ram

Even Chris Ram, is now speaking out against the disgraceful AFC/PNC administration.

FM

Quote from Ram:

"The episode surrounding his leave and the visit to his home not onlyborders on violating those rights but amounts to constructive dismissal. The tax collection agency of any country must enjoy the confidence of citizens, be free from political direction and control, and be allowed to operate independently and professionally. If confidence in any one of these goes, everything else goes, with irreparable consequences. As a public body, the Governing Board of the GRA has a duty to justify its actions to the citizens of the country. Neither silence nor aloofness is acceptable."

FM

I have a great deal of respect for Christopher Ram; but he, like many good, sometimes heroic men of a certain class in Guyana has let personal relationships cloud his good judgment; i know that he is not naive

i begin by conceding that the clumsy foolice and their leadership likely applied a sledgehammer in their probe where a small trowel would have sufficed

however, to come up with an exculpatory gem like the below for lawless behavior in the Lall case leaves me scratching my head:

"Mr. Khurshid Sattaur erred gravely when he shared taxpayers’ information with the Administration. However irresistible the demand, he ought to have made it clear that he would not comply. Instead, he compromised himself, his office and his profession. A complaint of professional misconduct was made to the local and international professional accounting bodies but was later withdrawn. There was therefore no adverse finding against him"

In the USA, Sattaur would be in JAIL!

Ralph Ramkarran was likely infected with the same 'personal relationship' virus in the Bharat Dindyal case before it blew up in his face

Chris, gentlemen of a certain class in Guyana have recourse unavailable to the poor and powerless if/when their constitutional rights have been violated

you're a good lawyer, and if you feel that strongly . . . step up

FM
Nehru posted:
Mr.T posted:

Did Ram show the same concern about the treatment of Lall by Sattaur? No he didn't. So there is only one conclusion to gather from this.

You are so DUMB you will never get your head out of your stinking ASS!!!  I cannot think of anyone more stupid, ignorant and illiterate than you.

Agreed. "T" was made out of contaminated sperm. Forgive him for he is toxic.

FM

The action of the AFC/PNC administration reckless:

"It is rare and improper for persons on leave to have their homes visited by their subordinates and computers and firearm taken away from them. In the case of a taxman for whom threats to life are an occupational hazard, the danger is obvious and is recognized in his being provided with a guard and a firearm licence."

Kudos Ram. I have no problem if you remain impartial and speak out against the PPP and PNC.

FM
Last edited by Former Member
yuji22 posted:

The action of the AFC/PNC administration reckless:

"It is rare and improper for persons on leave to have their homes visited by their subordinates and computers and firearm taken away from them. In the case of a taxman for whom threats to life are an occupational hazard, the danger is obvious and is recognized in his being provided with a guard and a firearm licence."

Kudos Ram. I have no problem if you remain impartial and speak out against the PPP and PNC.

maybe the admin will dig up some thing when u was cussing ram

FM
Dondadda posted:
Nehru posted:
Mr.T posted:

Did Ram show the same concern about the treatment of Lall by Sattaur? No he didn't. So there is only one conclusion to gather from this.

You are so DUMB you will never get your head out of your stinking ASS!!!  I cannot think of anyone more stupid, ignorant and illiterate than you.

Agreed. "T" was made out of contaminated sperm. Forgive him for he is toxic.

Haha. LMAO

FM

I warned you people that a coalition between the AFC and APNU would result in APNU being the dominant partner. It's happening right before your eyes. This is not the change some of you expected. Those who voted the PNC back into power are the ones who should take careful note of what's happening currently.  Moses and Khemraj are not decision-makers. They are defenders of the decisions that APNU makes whether good or bad. Change did not mean to be the AFC sucking up to the PNC and supporting their reckless and undemocratic moves.

Billy Ram Balgobin
Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

I warned you people that a coalition between the AFC and APNU would result in APNU being the dominant partner. It's happening right before your eyes. This is not the change some of you expected. Those who voted the PNC back into power are the ones who should take careful note of what's happening currently.  Moses and Khemraj are not decision-makers. They are defenders of the decisions that APNU makes whether good or bad. Change did not mean to be the AFC sucking up to the PNC and supporting their reckless and undemocratic moves.

ALL THIS because Chris Ram is upset over how Sattaur's investigation was handled . . . really now?

ahmmm . . . separately, when was APNU not the dominant partner in the coalition

alyuh bottom feeders are funny

FM
Last edited by Former Member
Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

I warned you people that a coalition between the AFC and APNU would result in APNU being the dominant partner. It's happening right before your eyes. This is not the change some of you expected. Those who voted the PNC back into power are the ones who should take careful note of what's happening currently.  Moses and Khemraj are not decision-makers. They are defenders of the decisions that APNU makes whether good or bad. Change did not mean to be the AFC sucking up to the PNC and supporting their reckless and undemocratic moves.

OK, so you think you were right.  Yes, I am here on this boat and wondering what the hell?

 

But it is a good thing, Bharat got a 5 year rest, he will come again, hopefully a more caring person since he did not give s shyte for the last 20 years, only his pocket mattered.

 

But yes, GREAT disappointment today.  Invasion of the GDF is all over.  Over 200 former GDF officer were appointed in the public service in the last 6 months.

 

Kurshid Sattur is being replaced by a former GDF officer out of Atlanta Georgia.

 

Gita Ragbir being replaced by another coconut brains called Floyd Leivi.

 

All over you turn is GDF.

 

 

FM
Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

I warned you people that a coalition between the AFC and APNU would result in APNU being the dominant partner. It's happening right before your eyes. This is not the change some of you expected. Those who voted the PNC back into power are the ones who should take careful note of what's happening currently.  Moses and Khemraj are not decision-makers. They are defenders of the decisions that APNU makes whether good or bad. Change did not mean to be the AFC sucking up to the PNC and supporting their reckless and undemocratic moves.

Bhai, Khemraj did get to decide on the Diwali date.  Otherwise he is just a defender, if not he will have to keep "an eye" on the House of Israel boys.  If there is any credit to be given to the PNC, they successfully crushed the AFC. 

Bibi Haniffa
Brian Teekah posted:
Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

I warned you people that a coalition between the AFC and APNU would result in APNU being the dominant partner. It's happening right before your eyes. This is not the change some of you expected. Those who voted the PNC back into power are the ones who should take careful note of what's happening currently.  Moses and Khemraj are not decision-makers. They are defenders of the decisions that APNU makes whether good or bad. Change did not mean to be the AFC sucking up to the PNC and supporting their reckless and undemocratic moves.

OK, so you think you were right.  Yes, I am here on this boat and wondering what the hell?

 

But it is a good thing, Bharat got a 5 year rest, he will come again, hopefully a more caring person since he did not give s shyte for the last 20 years, only his pocket mattered.

 

But yes, GREAT disappointment today.  Invasion of the GDF is all over.  Over 200 former GDF officer were appointed in the public service in the last 6 months.

 

Kurshid Sattur is being replaced by a former GDF officer out of Atlanta Georgia.

 

Gita Ragbir being replaced by another coconut brains called Floyd Leivi.

 

All over you turn is GDF.

 

 

Gita Raghubir is a brilliant girl.  Her father was former Police Commissioner Balram Raghubir and her brother is a brilliant doctor in Scarborough.  This is malicious. In every military dictatorship the army runs the country.  Guyana is no different.

Bibi Haniffa
Last edited by Bibi Haniffa
Brian Teekah posted:
Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

I warned you people that a coalition between the AFC and APNU would result in APNU being the dominant partner. It's happening right before your eyes. This is not the change some of you expected. Those who voted the PNC back into power are the ones who should take careful note of what's happening currently.  Moses and Khemraj are not decision-makers. They are defenders of the decisions that APNU makes whether good or bad. Change did not mean to be the AFC sucking up to the PNC and supporting their reckless and undemocratic moves.

OK, so you think you were right.  Yes, I am here on this boat and wondering what the hell?

 

But it is a good thing, Bharat got a 5 year rest, he will come again, hopefully a more caring person since he did not give s shyte for the last 20 years, only his pocket mattered.

 

But yes, GREAT disappointment today.  Invasion of the GDF is all over.  Over 200 former GDF officer were appointed in the public service in the last 6 months.

 

Kurshid Sattur is being replaced by a former GDF officer out of Atlanta Georgia.

 

Gita Ragbir being replaced by another coconut brains called Floyd Leivi.

 

All over you turn is GDF.

 

 

BT, Great to see you back. In light of Amral's call for objectivity, let us try to have civil conversations.

Now, the PPP deserved to be kicked in the Nu** because of arrogance. 

What scares me is this massive Army types replacements if you are in fact correct. Could they not have been replaced by civil servants ?

You are expressing great disappointment, is it at this administration ?

Can this be a step towards Military Dictatorship or it is that Granger being an army man, just giving these position to persons whom he feels are competent ?

Is the AFC not having a say in these appointments ? This was supposed to happen according to the accord.

I await your response.

 

FM
Last edited by Former Member
Bibi Haniffa posted:
Brian Teekah posted:
Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

I warned you people that a coalition between the AFC and APNU would result in APNU being the dominant partner. It's happening right before your eyes. This is not the change some of you expected. Those who voted the PNC back into power are the ones who should take careful note of what's happening currently.  Moses and Khemraj are not decision-makers. They are defenders of the decisions that APNU makes whether good or bad. Change did not mean to be the AFC sucking up to the PNC and supporting their reckless and undemocratic moves.

OK, so you think you were right.  Yes, I am here on this boat and wondering what the hell?

 

But it is a good thing, Bharat got a 5 year rest, he will come again, hopefully a more caring person since he did not give s shyte for the last 20 years, only his pocket mattered.

 

But yes, GREAT disappointment today.  Invasion of the GDF is all over.  Over 200 former GDF officer were appointed in the public service in the last 6 months.

 

Kurshid Sattur is being replaced by a former GDF officer out of Atlanta Georgia.

 

Gita Ragbir being replaced by another coconut brains called Floyd Leivi.

 

All over you turn is GDF.

 

 

Gita Raghubir is a brilliant girl.  Her father was former Police Commissioner Balram Raghubir and her brother is a brilliant doctor in Scarborough.  This is malicious. In every military dictatorship the army runs the country.  Guyana is no different.

Bibi,

If what BT is posting about 200 army personnel being appointed to the civil service scares me or should scare anyone who is concerned about a military dictatorship.

Am I overreacting ?

FM
Bibi Haniffa posted:
Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

I warned you people that a coalition between the AFC and APNU would result in APNU being the dominant partner. It's happening right before your eyes. This is not the change some of you expected. Those who voted the PNC back into power are the ones who should take careful note of what's happening currently.  Moses and Khemraj are not decision-makers. They are defenders of the decisions that APNU makes whether good or bad. Change did not mean to be the AFC sucking up to the PNC and supporting their reckless and undemocratic moves.

Bhai, Khemraj did get to decide on the Diwali date.  Otherwise he is just a defender, if not he will have to keep "an eye" on the House of Israel boys.  If there is any credit to be given to the PNC, they successfully crushed the AFC. 

Bibi

At this stage, I would be very concerned if I were an AFC supporter. It appears that the AFC has been gobbled up by the PNC since they have no decision making power in this administration.

Could it be that Moses is silently running away from the PNC by wanting a dialogue with the PPP ? Desperate people do desperate things.

I am sure that Ramjattan feels suffocated by the PNC, he is totally silent these days and he is not known for being silent. He loves to talk.

The PPP needs to pick up on these types of little pieces of information. PNC Whistle blowers should be a welcome sign for the PPP.

Interesting times ahead.

FM

Bharat may have overstepped his bounds by denying party elections and giving sweet deals to the private sector with the hope of boosting the economy and creating more jobs. Here we have a army general using his executive powers to expand the public sector with political appointees at the expense of the nation. The expansion of the public sector does not add to the productive capacities of the nation. On the contrary, it increases the burden on the nation by having to allocate more resources to provide salaries to these political hacks. Do we want more lean and clean gov't with a strong private sector that create jobs, or do we want a weak private sector under the heels of gov't with a large bureaucracy to feed??  We must ask ourselves whether the addition of military people into desk jobs would help create more wealth for the society or drain our resources to the detriment of all.

Billy Ram Balgobin
yuji22 posted:
Bibi Haniffa posted:
Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

I warned you people that a coalition between the AFC and APNU would result in APNU being the dominant partner. It's happening right before your eyes. This is not the change some of you expected. Those who voted the PNC back into power are the ones who should take careful note of what's happening currently.  Moses and Khemraj are not decision-makers. They are defenders of the decisions that APNU makes whether good or bad. Change did not mean to be the AFC sucking up to the PNC and supporting their reckless and undemocratic moves.

Bhai, Khemraj did get to decide on the Diwali date.  Otherwise he is just a defender, if not he will have to keep "an eye" on the House of Israel boys.  If there is any credit to be given to the PNC, they successfully crushed the AFC. 

Bibi

At this stage, I would be very concerned if I were an AFC supporter. It appears that the AFC has been gobbled up by the PNC since they have no decision making power in this administration.

Could it be that Moses is silently running away from the PNC by wanting a dialogue with the PPP ? Desperate people do desperate things.

I am sure that Ramjattan feels suffocated by the PNC, he is totally silent these days and he is not known for being silent. He loves to talk.

The PPP needs to pick up on these types of little pieces of information. PNC Whistle blowers should be a welcome sign for the PPP.

Interesting times ahead.

The AFC boys know that it's game over for them.  Couple of them like Mitwahji trying to show good face and act like all is well.  At this point, I don't think the PPP boys want anything to do with Moses.  He lost corn and husk now.  No one trust him anymore.  The AFC was a bad experiment that exploded in their faces.

Bibi Haniffa

@ Billy

It is a cause for concern. The role of the AFC was to create balance but it would appear that they are in a state of imbalance themselves.

Where are the executives of the AFC ?

Remember, it is only eight months and they appear to have lost all powers in the decision making process. 

Are we seeing history repeating itself ?

Will the AFC become the next United Force ?

FM
Last edited by Former Member
yuji22 posted:
Bibi Haniffa posted:
Brian Teekah posted:
Billy Ram Balgobin posted:

I warned you people that a coalition between the AFC and APNU would result in APNU being the dominant partner. It's happening right before your eyes. This is not the change some of you expected. Those who voted the PNC back into power are the ones who should take careful note of what's happening currently.  Moses and Khemraj are not decision-makers. They are defenders of the decisions that APNU makes whether good or bad. Change did not mean to be the AFC sucking up to the PNC and supporting their reckless and undemocratic moves.

OK, so you think you were right.  Yes, I am here on this boat and wondering what the hell?

 

But it is a good thing, Bharat got a 5 year rest, he will come again, hopefully a more caring person since he did not give s shyte for the last 20 years, only his pocket mattered.

 

But yes, GREAT disappointment today.  Invasion of the GDF is all over.  Over 200 former GDF officer were appointed in the public service in the last 6 months.

 

Kurshid Sattur is being replaced by a former GDF officer out of Atlanta Georgia.

 

Gita Ragbir being replaced by another coconut brains called Floyd Leivi.

 

All over you turn is GDF.

 

 

Gita Raghubir is a brilliant girl.  Her father was former Police Commissioner Balram Raghubir and her brother is a brilliant doctor in Scarborough.  This is malicious. In every military dictatorship the army runs the country.  Guyana is no different.

Bibi,

If what BT is posting about 200 army personnel being appointed to the civil service scares me or should scare anyone who is concerned about a military dictatorship.

Am I overreacting ?

You are not over-reacting.  We are witnessing the transition of a country from a democracy into a military dictatorship.  I hope the historians have their pens out and are recording this.  Future generations will be reading about this in the history books of Guyana.  And it will be a sad ending.

Bibi Haniffa
yuji22 posted:

@ Billy

It is a cause for concern. The role of the AFC was to create balance but it would appear that they are in a state of imbalance themselves.

Where are the executives of the AFC ?

Remember, it is only eight months and they appear to have lost all powers in the decision making process. 

Are we seeing history repeating itself ?

Will the AFC become the next United Force ?

Yuji22,

AFC leaders who brought in the Berbician votes are the ones now doing everything possible to defend the gov't. One would not expect them to lash out at the PNC at this time since it would be a voluntary indictment of themselves in conniving willingly or naively with a party that has long history of undemocratic practices. The country was devastated in the period following independence by the Peoples National Congress who captured power with the help of the UF. We draw parallels with the PNC/UF Coalition and the present day APNU/AFC coalition. The emergence of dictatorship in Guyana in 1964 started with a coalition. The people who are old enough or informed enough to know about this dark period and the ones most concerned about a re-emergence of the past. We cannot blame them since the memories are with them and the behavior and moves of the Granger gov't. seem all hell-bent of consolidating power and hold on to it by rigging general and local elections.

 

Billy Ram Balgobin
Billy Ram Balgobin posted:
yuji22 posted:

@ Billy

It is a cause for concern. The role of the AFC was to create balance but it would appear that they are in a state of imbalance themselves.

Where are the executives of the AFC ?

Remember, it is only eight months and they appear to have lost all powers in the decision making process. 

Are we seeing history repeating itself ?

Will the AFC become the next United Force ?

Yuji22,

AFC leaders who brought in the Berbician votes are the ones now doing everything possible to defend the gov't. One would not expect them to lash out at the PNC at this time since it would be a voluntary indictment of themselves in conniving willingly or naively with a party that has long history of undemocratic practices. The country was devastated in the period following independence by the Peoples National Congress who captured power with the help of the UF. We draw parallels with the PNC/UF Coalition and the present day APNU/AFC coalition. The emergence of dictatorship in Guyana in 1964 started with a coalition. The people who are old enough or informed enough to know about this dark period and the ones most concerned about a re-emergence of the past. We cannot blame them since the memories are with them and the behavior and moves of the Granger gov't. seem all hell-bent of consolidating power and hold on to it by rigging general and local elections.

 

Herin lies the problem. We cannot deny historical facts because history always repeats itself.

The younger generation never experienced dictatorship rule and hence felt the Change that the coalition was promoting was beneficial to the nation. It was an excellent platform and quite a catchy phrase of Change.

What the younger generation may see is what the older generation feared would happen. 

The question is:

Will the younger generation accept a Military dictatorship if Guyana becomes one ?

The upcoming Local Elections will be a test for the Nation.

 

 

FM
Last edited by Former Member
Billy Ram Balgobin posted:
yuji22 posted:

@ Billy

It is a cause for concern. The role of the AFC was to create balance but it would appear that they are in a state of imbalance themselves.

Where are the executives of the AFC ?

Remember, it is only eight months and they appear to have lost all powers in the decision making process. 

Are we seeing history repeating itself ?

Will the AFC become the next United Force ?

Yuji22,

AFC leaders who brought in the Berbician votes are the ones now doing everything possible to defend the gov't. One would not expect them to lash out at the PNC at this time since it would be a voluntary indictment of themselves in conniving willingly or naively with a party that has long history of undemocratic practices. The country was devastated in the period following independence by the Peoples National Congress who captured power with the help of the UF. We draw parallels with the PNC/UF Coalition and the present day APNU/AFC coalition. The emergence of dictatorship in Guyana in 1964 started with a coalition. The people who are old enough or informed enough to know about this dark period and the ones most concerned about a re-emergence of the past. We cannot blame them since the memories are with them and the behavior and moves of the Granger gov't. seem all hell-bent of consolidating power and hold on to it by rigging general and local elections.

 

Brilliant piece of analysis here Billy Ram.  Brilliant!!

Bibi Haniffa

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