Kamla gets QC on property tax

The bill was passed on Monday in the House of Representatives and will now be debated in the Upper House on December 29.

During debate on the bill in the House of Representatives on Monday, Persad-Bissessar said the Government would be taken to court if the bill became law.

Contacted by Newsday during her annual Christmas toy drive in Siparia yesterday, Persad-Bissessar said she is still contemplating taking Government to court in her private capacity as an attorney and with this in mind, has recruited the two QCs. She added that other lawyers in the country have expressed an interest in assisting her.

Persad-Bissessar said she has started to do some preparatory work on the case and will determine her next move depending on what happens in the Senate next week.

Chief Whip Dr Hamza Rafeeq said the UNC never decided as a party that it will take the Government to court if the property tax bill becomes law.

He indicated that at the UNC’s last parliamentary caucus, it was agreed that the bill needed a special majority for passage because it could be legally challenged. Rafeeq added that Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday was present at that caucus meeting and has been kept abreast of all developments on the bill while he is on Christmas vacation in England.