ciizensgy.com, May 5, 2017
SPEAKER REJECTS PPP/C VAT MOTION AFTER APPROVING IT –motion was scheduled to be debated on Monday
After receiving and approving the political Opposition’s motion, which calls for the reversal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on education, to be placed on the agenda for the Monday (May 8, 2017) sitting of the National Assembly, House Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland, has backtracked.
The mover of the motion, former Education Minister and Opposition Parliamentarian, Priya Manickchand, this ...afternoon, received a notice from the Parliament Office, indicating that the motion will not be proceeded with at Monday’s sitting.
Meanwhile, earlier today, at a news conference, held at Freedom House, Robb Street, Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, noted that the VAT motion was significantly changed by the Speaker. Several clauses in the motion were amended, according to her.
The original motion called for government to “reinstates and bring back into force the Schedules I and II existing prior to Order No. 18 of 2016, Value Added Tax (Amendment of Schedules) Order 2016” on educational goods and services.”
The PPP/C motion made note of the fact that the government has made public declarations of its commitment to education and the provision of quality education as key to the development of Guyana’s youth and nation. “The impact of these onerous budgetary measures have caused great consternation and anxiety for parents and students about, inter alia, the future of students’ right to access to education of their choice, including private education, as provided for in the constitution,” the motion said.
VAT on education was introduced after government changed moved items from the zero rated VAT list to the exempt VAT list, subjecting educational goods and services, as well as other items, to taxation. The change was opposed by the political Opposition, but passed in the House by a government majority.
The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) had publicly stated that it expects the Alliance For Change (AFC) – the junior partner in the current Coalition government – to vote with the PPP/C on the motion given its position change and the recent public comments on the matter by AFC leader, Raphael Trotman. Trotman was quoted in the media as saying, “The AFC is going to be pushing for a review and as I said we hope it comes sooner rather than later.”
Also, more than 14,000 persons have petitioned President David Granger calling for the removal of VAT on educational goods and services.
Government, prior to the motion being submitted, made clear, during a stakeholder meeting, that VAT on education stays. In the meantime, protest actions against the move continue.
