PNP prods Government to follow up on tax rollback

THE Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) yesterday said it would proceed with islandwide protests if the demand for a cap on the ad valorem tax on fuel and the removal of the General Consumption Tax (GCT) on electricity bills are not effectively addressed in the upcoming budget.

The PNP has maintained that its cancellation of protests planned for yesterday is not an acceptance of Government’s last-minute decision to reduce the tax from 15 to 10 per cent.

“Our decision to call off for the time being protest action, which we had organised, should not be taken by the Government as any indication

that we are satisfied with the response of the administration,” party chairman Robert Pickersgill told journalists at a press conference held at PNP headquarters on Old Hope Road in Kingston.

Amidst threats of mass protests, the Government on Monday announced the cut as a temporary measure to cushion the effects of rising oil prices. The reduction, which takes effect tomorrow, will result in the lowering of prices of between $4 and $5 per litre at the pumps, the Government said.

But yesterday, the PNP demanded that the Government follow-up with something more wide-ranging.

“The Opposition is allowing the Government some time to follow up on this initial response with a more meaningful and comprehensive tax reduction package,” Pickersgill said.

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