THE PPP’s ENDURING FEARS

Written by Ralph Ramkarran
Tuesday, 8th January 2013, 3:47 pm

Critics are baffled by what is alleged to be the reluctance of the PPP to accept that it is no longer in the majority since the 2011 elections. Their analysis, at its worst, suggests that an arrogant, hungry and driven elite, determined to dominate the reins of office, seek to remain entrenched in power for its own sake, in order to continue to plunder and, not least, to assure protection from prosecution.This analysis is superficial and fails to recognize the deeper realities that motivate the approaches of the PPP to the issues of governance in the new environment and indeed in the pre-2011 dispensation, even if it was then less noticeable.

There are no doubt subjective factors within the Party leadership which influence some policy choices and attitudes, both before and after 2011. These may no doubt have been responsible for the negative features which have developed and which persist. Those are not defended here. But the objective realities of the political history of Guyana since 1953, and its impact on the PPP’s psyche, have profoundly influenced the direction and orientation of its basic approaches, even within the changing class composition of its leadership, which has impacted on some aspects of its policies, including those mentioned above. Only Cheddi Jagan’s transformational ideas occasionally broke through oppressive historical circumstances.

Continue reading “THE PPP’s ENDURING FEARS”

AUTONOMY OF THE PARLIAMENT

Written by Ralph Ramkarran
Monday, 31st December 2012, 10:35 am

A Motion and a Bill, tabled by Khemraj Ramjattan of the AFC and Volda Lawrence of APNU respectively, relating to the autonomy of the Parliament Office, are before the National Assembly. The Motion resolves that a Special Select Committee be appointed to examine two sets of recommendations, one by Sir Michael Davies, a Commonwealth Senior Parliamentary Staff Adviser and the other by the Guyana Fiduciary Oversight Project Final Framework and Guidelines Report by the World Bank, on the issue and advise the National Assembly on the steps to be taken to implement them.

These reports were unanimously approved by National Assembly in 2006. The Motion and the Bill appear to seek the implementation of the reports as they relate to autonomy of the Parliament Office.

Continue reading “AUTONOMY OF THE PARLIAMENT”

THE PPP AND THE CHALLENGES AHEAD

Written by Ralph Ramkarran
Sunday, 30th December 2012, 12:58 am

The election result and its aftermath

Four successive election victories of the Peoples Progressive Party (the Party) in 1992, 1997, 2001 and 2006 were followed by the failure to obtain an absolute majority in 2011. It was unexpected and a shock and disappointment. Under the constitution the Party was entitled to the presidency and the president could appoint ministers from among members of the National Assembly, except for technocrats. The President opted for ministers from only the PPP, leading to a minority, rather than a coalition, majority supported government.

Some attempts have been made to consult with the opposition by way of a tripartite committee. In other respects, such as the budget, the government has declined to consult on the ground of its constitutional mandate to prepare and present the budget.  Mixed signals about consultations from the government, relentless attacks by the opposition and the inability of the government to control its parliamentary agenda, have all resulted in the government being unable to achieve its objectives, thus creating uncertainty and frustration all around.

Continue reading “THE PPP AND THE CHALLENGES AHEAD”

INVESTIGATING MISCONDUCT AND CORRUPTION

Written by Ralph Ramkarran
Friday, 28th December 2012, 5:54 pm

The Guyana Police Force offers protection and security to the citizens of Guyana.  When, therefore the Acting Commissioner undertakes to improve rapport with the public and investigate misconduct and corruption, it should be welcomed.

Previous Commissioners have given such undertakings in the past, but the fact that they have had to be repeated again and again. It is because the problems of misconduct and corruption are not going away. There is no doubt that efforts have been made to deal with these problems but they are not effective. I encouraged two young men to make complaints to the Office of Professional Responsibility about the conduct two instances of misbehavior of traffic policemen and they were literally laughed out of the room without the traffic policemen even being summoned to answer.

Continue reading “INVESTIGATING MISCONDUCT AND CORRUPTION”

UNCONTROLLED MONEY SUPPLY IS INFLATIONARY AND HARMFUL

Written by Ralph Ramkarran
Friday, 28th December 2012, 5:51 pm

The call has been made by the Opposition and others for the doubling of the pension for senior citizens, a substantial increase in public service salaries of 20 percent and a reduction of VAT, in addition to the income tax threshold which has been increased. These are commendable sentiments and should attract the support of everyone. Unfortunately the full facts about the negative impact of such large increases are not and have never been placed before the same sections of the community for whose benefit the increases are demanded. Increases of the magnitude demanded, especially if the salary increase is not backed by an increase in productivity, would be inflationary and would harm most the groups who the increases are intended to benefit.

Inflation is the measure of the general rise in the prices for goods and services over a period of time. It is caused by an increase in the money supply among other factors. The increases being sought by the Opposition, if granted, would substantially increase the money supply in the economy. The rate of inflation would increase significantly. The end result would be that the initial positive effect of increases in pensions and salaries would be eliminated by the subsequent higher cost of living caused by increased inflation. This would naturally lead to demands for even higher increases thereby leading to a vicious inflationary cycle.

Continue reading “UNCONTROLLED MONEY SUPPLY IS INFLATIONARY AND HARMFUL”

The Conversation Tree is both physical and philosophical. The physical is the tree itself, which has given its name to the road from which it originates at the intersection of the Rupert Craig Highway. It was reputedly first planted by Napleton William King in 1876 to celebrate the birth of his son Napleton Walter. As...
Read More

Recent Posts

Other Posts