Ramdeen: Do not give the PNM info on your property

Addressing a large crowd at the Macaulay Community Centre on the contentious property tax, Ramdeen called for the return of the previous means of paying land and building taxes which, he said, was used many years ago and raised approximately $200 million.

Ramdeen said given the 400,000 homes which Finance Minister Colm Imbert said exists, the government can raise approximately $400,000. He accused government of trying to instil fear in the minds of people by telling them if they do not pay the property tax, their homes would be seized.

“Well not as long as they have a strong opposition like the UNC.

Imbert is saying that if people do not fill out the forms he will get the information regarding properties from WASA, TTEC and TSTT. Imbert so desperate that he said he will get an aerial view of people’s property and deal with those who are not willing to pay property tax.” Saying there could be discrimination in assessing people’s properties, Ramdeen told the gathering it should be the concern of every owner of property, whether residents living in other parts of the country would not be evaluated as well. “Will they evaluate properties in Laventille and in the Beetham?” He said the people of Penal, Point-APierre and Chaguanas spent years developing their properties for generations, “And this government will come now to say pay tax or you will lose your property.”