Budget list sent to Govt

In a letter to Junior Finance Minister Conrad Enill yesterday, Maharaj added that a number of non-food items top this list which government should also remove VAT on, in the 2006/2007 Budget.

Maharaj said Government should not eliminate the VAT programme because it has and continues to contribute significantly to the long term health of the national economy. However, he suggested that the programme be restructured in order to include a broader range of items in its zero rated listing.

Maharaj said VAT should be removed from bottled water, all fruit juices, unsweetened biscuits, all sausages, hams etc, oil, granulated sugar, salted pigtail, cereals, dish washing liquid, fries and mashed potatoes, all canned peas/beans, ketchup, sago, laundry detergent/bleach, matches, mosquito coils, napkins and hand towels and selected baby products (oils, soaps, milk and clothing) in the Budget. He also said the elimination of monopolies relatives to certain food items would help to diversify the local food sector and keep food prices down.

Maharaj said persons employed in CEPEP and the Unemployment Relief Programmes should be put to work in agriculture to resuscitate this sector of the economy and systems need to be upgraded at the ports to keep food prices in check.

Manning is expected to present the 2006/2007 Budget in Parliament within the next two months.