Less time allocated, would means less scrutiny for the Budget, and less scrutiny could means that we are heading for the same shithole again, compliments PNC/AFC.

Whip Gail Teixeira argued that this goes against established conventions and principles, asserting that the Government is scared of being held answerable to the public for the projects laid down in the Budget 2015.

IT IS A DISGRACE AND PROVES THE STINKING PNC IS A DICTATORSHIP, PLAIN AND SIMPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Govt. blasted for reducing debate time on budget estimates

– Opposition deems it “the slaughter of democracy”

By Kiana Wilburg

Never in the history of the National Assembly have the estimates of the budget been debated in three days. The rules of the House allow for such deliberations to last a maximum of seven days. But Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo believes that the current members of the House are quite competent and would not require such a long time. Before the continuation of the debate over the 2015 budget yesterday, Nagamootoo moved a motion to have the estimates of what has been described as the largest budget ever, to be debated within three days. This motion instantly threw the House into a state of confusion. The Opposition’s Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira stood immediately to reject the motion, stressing that Standing Order 73.1 says that there shall be a maximum of seven days for the deliberations. Teixeira said, “Mr. Speaker you are a new kid on the block and debates on the estimates have taken place from up to five to seven days when we were in government  and we will not support this motion for the time for the deliberations to be reduced to three days.” The Opposition Chief Whip also bemoaned the fact that the common courtesy was not even extended to her by the Government’s Chief Whip, Amna Ally, for a discussion on the motion to be done, as normal protocol would dictate. Teixeira stressed that reducing the deliberations to three days is unacceptable and the opposition will oppose it. A few minutes were taken for the Clerk of the National Assembly , Sherlock Isaacs, to consult  with the House Speaker on the said matter during which time, Nagamootoo asked to take the floor to respond to Teixeira. The seasoned lawyer told the Speaker that while Standing Order 73.1 may stipulate that there is a maximum of seven days, it does not state that there should be a minimum time for the deliberations.

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo

Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira

“A maximum of seven days does not mean we can’t set a minimum if the House wants to,” the Prime Minister added. But Teixeira quickly retorted that protocol must be observed. She said that the 2015 budget contains the renaming of some ministries and the addition of new ones. The politician noted that opposition members would not only have to peruse the allocations for these agencies, but also for the ten administrative regions. “All of this will double up our work. We have never tried to prevent the other members when they were in opposition of the time they needed. This is unacceptable. It is trickery. I am asking you (Speaker) to declare this motion out of order. Let the schedule for deliberations be approved according to the norms and practices of this house,” the Opposition Chief whip appealed. But Teixeira was disappointed by the Speaker Dr. Barton Scotland’s decision. He said, “It seems to me that Text 73. 1 speaks of the maximum time and not the minimum time, and I find no fault with the motion presented.” When it was put to a vote, the opposition was obviously outnumbered and the motion was subsequently passed. This led to the Opposition orally demonstrating its anger as its members hurled insults at the government members. From every direction on the western side of the House, members shouted, “This is the transparency and accountability you speak of?” “This is bullyism!” “Where is the democracy?” The House was then called to order by the Speaker and the debates on the budget commenced. But the topic would raise its ugly head once again during the presentation of PPP Parliamentarian, Vindhya Persaud. An impassioned Persaud told the Government that she is disappointed in the request for reducing the time for the opposition to scrutinize the estimates. “Mr. Speaker, they don’t want to face our questions? Where is the democracy? I feel disheartened if this is how we will proceed in these early stages. God help us if this is how we are starting.” A team of opposition members later held a press conference in  Committee room two of the Parliament to speak once more on the matter among other pressing issues. The team emphasized that the government’s motion represents “the slaughter of democracy.”

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Dictatorship is creeping in, and like in past PNC administrations, the Indian stooges are working hard to sell it as constitutional and in the interest of the all. We know the history of the PNC and their Indian political backers. No Indian in the PNC can go against any motion by the party without being punished. Freddie Kissoon confessed that Education Minister, Vincent Teekah, could not get him a job a UG because his hands were tied. Those days are coming back.

I WILL SAY IT CLEARLY, MOSES AND RAMJHATTAN ARE THE WORST NEMAKARAM AND CRABDAAGS THIS WORLD HAS SEEN.  THESE SHAMELESS HOUSE SLAVES ARE A DISGRACE TO HUMANITY.  I DO NOT BELIEVE THEY ARE HUMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the kind of Government that Crabj backed and supported.

Why the opposition didn't turn up to vote. There were 4 mps didn't attend.

I  hope you are not surprise.  He is very HAPPY an Indian not Ruling Guyana .  He can now go to his maker in Peace.  He lived to see a Non Indian Rule Guyana and now he has his wish.

You fellows have very short memories. That may be your dilemma. The PPP went to court to protect their right to exclude the opposition from assisting with budget creation. They maintained it was the sole prerogative of the administration.

The opposition, we were told, only have a right to reject the whole thing and not a specific line item with which they disagreed. Their pocket judge, Ian Chang, reached in his pocket to retrieved the ruling penned by the PPP and read the opposition that everything they say is indeed the case per the courts!

Reflect on that when you are presently throwing a tantrum and making all sorts of dire claims as to the state of democracy given the PPP are getting a dose of their own medicine.

The PPP lost the motion because they didn't turn up to vote.

Thanks for admitting the your PPP are losers.