Private sector wants public budget forums

[Lazie]

At least two members of the private sector want the government to have national post budget forums with members of the public.

Chairman of the Campaign for Global Justice Lloyd D’Aguillar is insisting that public dialogue is necessary now more than ever in light of the government’s budget announcements and the economic crisis.
He says the country’s debt should be at the top of the agenda for discussions.

Mr. D’Aguillar says the government needs to give an account on what exactly the money borrowed was used for.
President of the Micro, Small and Medium-size Enterprises, Professor Rosalie Hamilton, said she’s disappointed that ordinary Jamaicans did not really get a chance to contribute to the crafting of the budget

http://go-jamaica.com/news/read_article.php?id=8381

[Lazie]

Suh now we move from numerous committees to various forums?

"Professor Rosalie Hamilton, said she’s disappointed that ordinary Jamaicans did not really get a chance to contribute to the crafting of the budget."

Really now?

[Lazie]

NDM reacts to budget

The National Democratic Movement (NDM) is concerned that the Finance Minister Audley Shaw, did not provide more details on the items that will now attract general consumption tax.

During his opening presentation of the budget debate yesterday, Mr. Shaw announced that the sale and importation of telephone instruments will now attract General Consumption Tax (GCT).

Some basic food items such as salt, syrup, noodle soup and rolled oats will also be taxed.

The NDM is also questioning whether the government plans to add GCT to ultility bills.

The party is also describing the Finance Minister’s presentation as incomplete and lacking in depth.

Chairman of the NDM, Peter Townsend is proposing a system of governance in which fundamental issues such as taxation are widely debated.