St. George’s, Grenada, May 18th, 2010: Leader of Her Majesty’s Opposition, Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell is expressing grave concerns over what he describes as an abuse of power by Government to impose new taxes on the people of Grenada.
Following the implementation of a 15% VAT in February 2010, the government a few months ago raised water rates by 30%, increased further property tax and now has placed a further $10 on the airport departure tax.
Dr. Mitchell says that these new taxes come in addition to the hardship already created by the NDC administration, by discontinuing a number of projects which would have created a significant number of jobs, and cutting a number of safety net programmes.
Dr. Mitchells says the decision by the Government to impose a 15% Value Added Tax with few zero rated or tax exempted items, on the backs of the people has negatively affected the purchasing power of the ordinary man and has increased the number of persons on the poverty line. He noted that while people of Grenada are crying out about the effects of this tax, the Government is boasting about the monies it was able to collect in the first month of its implementation.
Dr. Mitchell wishes to remind the nation that this is the same Government that said while in Opposition, that it will reduce the cost of living and will take measures to improve the living standards of every Grenadian. The former Prime Minister concludes that so far the NDC has been doing exactly the opposite to all that they had promised to do when they get into Government.
He said since the NDC assumed office, the cost of living in Grenada has increased drastically and now many Grenadians are openly admitting that for the first time they are unable to meet their financial commitments including payments on their mortgages. Many are finding it difficult to purchase basic items such as food.
Dr. Mitchell is therefore making a special appeal to the Government to review its tax policy, to reverse some of the decisions taken against the poor of the country and to refrain from taking any further action which can create more hardship for the people of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, particularly the poor and the vulnerable.
From the Office of the Leader of the Opposition
Grenada
The Bullet for your information until recently i believe that we were until the british government announce that Grenada,Dominica another country in the caribbean was put on the list of tax heaven for which i think it means that there were or are foreign business registered in grenada for the sole benifit of avoiding paying tax in their original country.Hope this helps so now you know why the Hon KCM behaves the way he does.
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By: gabe 5/25/2010 10:32:57 AM
Shooting ducks in a barrel, Keith is a duck, Grenadians know better.We are no tax haven, taxes are a must for any country to run. Dr.Keith!
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By: Bullet 5/25/2010 9:56:13 AM
The Honourable Dr. Keith Mitchell needs to wake up from his deep sleep and be honest with the Grenadian people (oops) honest? He should read Sandra Ferguson's letter to Gregory Bowen dated 4/22/10. Sandra brilliantly highlighted some of Keith's NNP BAD DEALS AND MIS- MANAGEMENT. Ms. Ferguson also presented facts to support her claims. I like to refresh Dr. Mitchell's memory with the following; Messy Contracts, multi million dollars litigation, Dipcon/ $17,000000.00 judgement against Grenada, MILLIONS & MILLIONS of dollars in defaulted loans plus much, much more. Dr. Mitchell please go back and read that letter. I haven't heard Bowen deny those allegations as yet. I believe that the Grenadian Taxpayers paid or are trying to pay back all those terrible debts. I never supported new taxes because it's a burden on poor Grenadians. However, I am also not involved in the NDC or NNP to understand how DEVASTATING HURRICANE NNP WAS TO THE GRENADA ECONOMY. Can the Honourable Leader of the Opposition tell Grenadians how much the Island lost financially, due to his bad deals over his reign? How does he expect poor Grenada to make ends meet after all those losses? Dr. Mitchell, we can't eat our cake and have it. We are broke partly because of some terrible deals over the past years. Finally sir, can you kindly help Grenada recover a percentage of of those lost dollars? I wish Grenada well.
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By: Joe 5/24/2010 8:50:47 PM
The Voice i tell you this Mr Damond knows very well how government works well i hope he does and it is simply folly of him and i say this the RH KCM and his bunch when they were in office do have a case in part to answer for the current state our country now find itself, for they were extravant in their ways when they were in government which we can now see and thats the result of the Vat introduction and as hard as it may be our people have to adjust ,yes it is going to be painful for some and that is where the government can further help thoes who is less fortunate, but for Damond to say that KCM is the only voice coming through for the common people is soley not true yes he is making some noise but our people should be enlightened as to the true nature /dept of our current financial situation here in grenada and the opposition is partly to blame for the state in which we are currently in due to their bad mis management while in office so my friend Damond please lets get a balance view lets tell our people where we were before and as to why we now find ourself in the current financial position we are currently in ,please lets educate our people as to who government and a country is run and that if we over borrow without having the means of paying back something has to be done so i call upon the opposition and Mr Damond to tell us what would they the opposition have done had they find themselves in the same position please tell us ,please educate us we as a people and a country is currently going through a rough time and the last thing we need is for the opposition and its supporters inciting our people and should give us the true facts about how government works and what is needed to make it works.
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By: gabe 5/24/2010 10:05:04 AM
Damond this goverment is only doing what needs to be done because of how your past elected leaders managed Grenada. Try to give your support to the existing goverment, he already has enough on his place because of the incompetence of Keith Michell and his group. Please also understand a country cannot be managed without taxes. Taxes are needed to create revenue and funds to pay for schools books and most of the so called free projects.
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