Dear Editor, Marking the centenary of the end of the Indian indentureship programme has become a most interesting exercise and more so for the Indian Guyanese community. Myself, Ravi Dev and Swami Aksharananda were the objects of the usual spewing of hate – originating from Freddie Kissoon’s pathology of self-hatred – in a column published on March 7, 2017. Whether Kissoon should be given a column to direct personal attacks in the name of responsible journalism is a consideration for his publishers, the Guyana Press Association, and for the Government,…
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Mr Bulkan is uttering untruths in foolishly denying what he said
Dear Editor, I wish to respond to a letter by Mr Ronald Bulkan, Communities Minister, in which he accused me of making baseless statements in relation to the Government’s payment to BK International of more than G$1 billion on a mere letter threatening litigation. Let me say that my statement was based on an article published in the media on August 23, 2016. The front page headline read “Government pays BK US$5.7M on a simple threat”. The article quotes Mr Bulkan as the source for the headline. It was an…
Read MoreCCJ vigilant on appointment of Judges, independence of the Judiciary
Dear Editor, The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is vigilant as regards the method of the appointment of judges and the independence of the Judiciary in the Region. Last Tuesday, the regional court criticised the system how appellate court judges are appointed in Belize. Although the CCJ judges did not entertain the appeal filed by the Bar Association against the Attorney General of Belize, but expressed displeasure with the present arrangement for the appointment of Justice of Appeal. At present, under section 94 of the Constitution of Belize Chapter 4,…
Read MoreHas the President just awoken from his slumber?
Dear Editor, What happened? Did President David Granger suddenly wake up and become Columbus number two, that he and his administration now discover that he “…believed the rates are high and that there should have been certain parking exemptions from the inception…” Also, he said, “We do feel that the contract is burdensome…” Why only now? What did he do with the reports from his two Ministers – Finance and Legal Affairs? He received those reports several months ago. Did he read them at all and note their recommendations? Anyway,…
Read MoreReports of US immigration raids in Queens for illegals
Dear Editor, Newspapers are reporting that Federal Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) Agents of Homeland Security raided restaurants, stores and other job sites in Elmhurst and other parts of Queens. There are also rumours that ICE agents raided Liberty Avenue, Richmond Hill (dubbed Little Guyana) last week though this has not been confirmed. The reports from raids in Queens say hundreds were picked up. And it is not clear if any out of status Guyanese immigrants were picked up and in custody and the nature of their violations. Trinis and…
Read MoreHigh drama in city streets as officials continue clamping vehicles
…despite court order placing a hold on paid parking BY DEVINA SAMAROO Officials from the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and Smart City Solutions (SCS) strutted through the capital city on Tuesday, booting vehicles despite a court order which placed a hold on the paid parking project. However, this is not the first time the M&CC has flouted a court order; back in May 2006, Town Clerk Royston King spearheaded the destruction the famous ‘Dread Shop’, located at Russell Square in Stabroek, Georgetown – a business which has been in…
Read MoreIn support of a referendum on Constitutional changes
Dear Editor, This has reference to a recent news item on the Privy Council Brexit ruling by the UK Supreme Court. In the UK, there was a referendum. The UK Supreme Court ruled that Parliamentary approval is also required for Brexit. The Guyana Court of Appeals (led by the Chancellor) is expected to hand down its ruling on the government’s appeal of the decision by the High Court (Judge Ian Chang, Ret’d) declaring presidential term limits unconstitutional. The CJ ruled that changes to the constitution pertaining to rights must be…
Read MoreHow can the Govt apply VAT on private education in Guyana?
Dear Editor, The importance of education cannot be stressed enough. We know that education is the key to the future, the key to success and the key to this country’s growth. I can’t understand therefore how it is even possible to consider taxing such a crucial service, or indeed a service like private health care for that matter. Unfortunately the damage has already been done and I am concerned for my future and those of my colleagues who are in the private education system. A merit good is one which…
Read MoreThe APNU/AFC regime is driving Guyana along the same destructive road the PNC took
Dear Editor, It appears that the Granger regime is determined to show that Burnham’s policies were correct and they could work in our country. From the inception of this Government, it picked up from where the People’s National Congress (PNC) left off and has been hastily implementing many measures that are a throwback to the worst days of the PNC regime. Last week, the Government finally admitted that there is a significant shortage of foreign currency in the market. That, of course, has been known for a while and was…
Read MoreConstitutional reform in Guyana should be taken seriously
Dear Editor, In welcoming the recent interest of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in constitutional reform, the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) hopes that it will serve to revitalise domestic interest on the issue. As a civic organisation that emerged in response to the infamous Referendum of 1978, which sought to legitimise the current Constitution and, as an active participant in multiple subsequent coalitions and initiatives to redress its baleful effects, the GHRA has been disturbed by the seemingly ambivalent commitment of the APNU/AFC coalition Government to constitutional reform.…
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