A lot of money is being distributed. This is the promise of the emergency budget. President Irfaan Ali made no bones about the measures to be contained in Budget 2020.
At a press conference he shared with Bharrat Jagdeo on Monday, he spoke of putting money into people’s pockets.
There are going to be many smiles as he has also kept his promise to the miners operating in Guyana’s hinterland. He has even taken steps to reverse value added tax in certain areas.
Ali said that he is increasing Old Age Pension by $4,500. This will ensure that all old age pensioners get $25,000 per month. That is money that many old people can do with.
Roll over Winston Jordan. You did lift the pension from $7,000 per month to the present $20,500 per month. Irfaan has gone one better.
The battle for the seniors has begun. The president has gone even further. Pensioners would be getting free water. This means that many older people, even if they could afford to, will not have to pay any water bill.
But the way the system works, many will have to apply to Guyana Water Inc. to have the entity remove their names from the billing list.
There are many who will welcome this. The pensioners will also be paying a smaller electricity bill.
Then there is the $25,000 per household. The understanding is that every household would get $25,000. Bharrat Jagdeo, David Granger, Irfaan Ali, Anil Nandlall, Gail Teixeira, Roger Luncheon, Sam Hinds, Glenn Lall, Freddie Kissoon, the Guyanese Critic and all those people whom the PPP Government dismissed can look forward to $25,000.
The used tyre business would spring up again. Sadly, more people may die on the roads because used tyres have a way of collapsing.
The government is bringing back cars, no matter how old. Forget the expenditure on spares, many will be able town a used car.
Sadly, some of them may end up buying an old car dressed up like new at a fantastic price. Some people are going to be making a lot of money.
The miners will not have to pay a lot of the fees that they once did. They are going to be smiling because with gold at such a high price and with the other money saving measures, they would enjoy even greater wealth.
There are other saving measures. If the miners transport fuel with their own trucks they do not have to get police clearance. A lot of fuel would be moved but that is of no business to me.
If David Granger did something with the school buses and bicycles, Irfaan is putting money into the pockets of the parents. Every child is getting $15,000 plus $4,000 for uniform voucher.
There is no corporate tax on private education, no value added tax on hinterland flights, and no VAT on medical supplies. The government says it is stimulating the economy. It is putting money into the system. But that will only work if people spend.
Irfaan is investing in his presidential future. Nobody is going to forget this payout at this time. Which soldier or policeman would forget the two weeks of tax free bonus? Add the $25,000 payable to households to this. People would be smiling for a long time.
