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Why voter's ID or TRN for hurricane relief?
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Dear Editor,
Why is it necessary to be the holder of a voter's identification card and a Tax Registration Number (TRN) to register for hurricane relief?
A lot of people have come to me complaining that they were refused registration because they do not have the two pieces of ID requested for registration.
There were thousands of Jamaicans who have not been enumerated and would not have a voter's identification card, and there are those who lost or misplaced their cards and are not able to obtain replacement until the expiry date of the card. It is not a requirement of the law to be in possession of an ID Card.
To obtain a TRN, one must be in possession of a birth certificate. Several people have applied for birth certificates and will not obtain same before the cut-off date for registration to access Hurricane "Dean" relief.
Every Jamaican man, woman and child who accesses goods and service are taxpayers, whether or not they are in possession of a TRN.
A taxpayer registration number is mandatory to do business with government departments and some private-sector entities. Not being in possession of a voter's ID or TRN should not deny the victims of Hurricane Dean from accessing relief or assistance.
The Ministry of Social Security should look into the matter.
Joseph M Cornwall
tranquillityfh@yahoo.com
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Dear Editor,
Why is it necessary to be the holder of a voter's identification card and a Tax Registration Number (TRN) to register for hurricane relief?
A lot of people have come to me complaining that they were refused registration because they do not have the two pieces of ID requested for registration.
There were thousands of Jamaicans who have not been enumerated and would not have a voter's identification card, and there are those who lost or misplaced their cards and are not able to obtain replacement until the expiry date of the card. It is not a requirement of the law to be in possession of an ID Card.
To obtain a TRN, one must be in possession of a birth certificate. Several people have applied for birth certificates and will not obtain same before the cut-off date for registration to access Hurricane "Dean" relief.
Every Jamaican man, woman and child who accesses goods and service are taxpayers, whether or not they are in possession of a TRN.
A taxpayer registration number is mandatory to do business with government departments and some private-sector entities. Not being in possession of a voter's ID or TRN should not deny the victims of Hurricane Dean from accessing relief or assistance.
The Ministry of Social Security should look into the matter.
Joseph M Cornwall
tranquillityfh@yahoo.com
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