Category Archives: PNM

General T&T, PNM, Politics, Property Tax, UNC

Don’t nail judge to race-cross

30 Comments

By Raffique Shah
May 30, 2017

Raffique ShahFor some time now I have sounded warnings to our tribal leaders, more specifically those in the frontline of the United National Congress, that they are playing with fire by fanning the embers of racial strife that could easily ignite. While we have enjoyed relative harmony in a world wracked by ethnic and religious strife, the absence of war between the two main tribes in this country does not necessarily mean peace.
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General T&T, Islam, PNM, Politics, Religion, UNC

United House passes Marriage bill

15 Comments

By Sean Douglas
June 10, 2017 – newsday.co.tt

End Child MarriageTHE Opposition last night ditched their previous qualms and hang-ups to join with Government in the House of Representatives to change the law and end child marriage in this country. By 35 votes “for”, none against and zero abstentions, the House unanimously approved the Miscellaneous Provisions (Marriage) Bill 2016.
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Court, General T&T, PNM, Politics, Property Tax, UNC

Looking for the justification of the May 22/June 5 Deadlines?

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By Stephen Kangal
June 09, 2017

Stephen KangalThe Minister of Finance had pulled out of a hat a May 22nd deadline for the submission of the illegal return forms(VRF’s) to the offices of the Valuation Division.

He had further compounded the debacle by extending it to June 5 because Cabinet decided so. Since when Cabinet has to sanction and approve a voluntary exercise that is the sole prerogative of the Commissioner of Valuations?
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Court, General T&T, Law, Media, PNM, Politics, Property Tax, UNC

Property Tax forms can be submitted/collected

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Justice Seepersad overruled again: Appeal Court makes new order

By Rickie Ramdass
June 07, 2017 – trinidadexpress.com

THE Court of Appeal has overturned another ruling of Justice Frank Seepersad, this one involving whether the State could continue to accept Property Tax valuation forms from citizens.

This morning, the Appeal Court ruled that Seepersad should not have granted an interim stay on the collection process but that the substantive matter for judicial review is still on.
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General T&T, PNM, Politics, Racism Watch, UNC

Distorting facts to suit one’s biases

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From: Glassie
May 23, 2017

lettersIt is human nature to feel more comfortable ‘with your own’. So, an Indian voting UNC or conversely an African voting PNM is not necessarily a sign of racialism but merely a level of comfort with your choice. But when facts are distorted to suit one’s BIASES or to satisfy existing prejudices for purely political expediency, is when the devious nature of racism takes effect.
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General T&T, People's Partnership, PNM, Politics, Property Tax, UNC

Colm created tax confusion

4 Comments

By Raffique Shah
May 23, 2017

Raffique ShahFinance Minister Colm Imbert must shoulder much of the blame for the fiasco that a relatively simple exercise, the submission of information for the valuation of properties across the country, has degenerated into. The overwhelming response by property owners to abide by the law, hence flock the few Valuation Division offices where they could drop off their forms or get help filling them out, should have surprised no one. That the ministry was unprepared for the rush is an indictment against the minister and his senior advisors.
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Court, General T&T, PNM, Politics, Property Tax, UNC

Harris and Koylass Recruited to Lobby for Doomed Property Tax

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By Stephen Kangal
May 27, 2017

Stephen KangalI read the statement issued by RC Archbishop Harris and a Guardian article penned by SC Koylass both making a misguided and ill-founded case for the collection of the Property tax outside of the the scope of the relevant legislation and quite favourable to the person who seemed to have recruited them. An exercise that is truly voluntary does not need external encouragement by the Minister of Finance bent on mobilising people to join his crusade to collectively defy the Court Order as if he is protected in Parliament.
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Court, General T&T, Law, PNM, Politics, Property Tax

Time-Tabling by the Executive and Legislature in the Property Act

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By Stephen Kangal
May 19, 2017

Stephen KangalA determination of the intention of the Executive and the Legislature as expressed in the time-tabling of the implementation of Act No 18 of 2009 is pivotal to the interpretation of the legislation as well as whether the Act has lapsed through non-implementation and non-observance of the dated law. It is also crucial in assessing whether the current bulldozing action being instituted by the Minister of Finance is legitimate and valid or tantamount to misbeviour in public office.
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Culture, Elections, General T&T, PNM, Politics, Racism Watch, UNC

Indian Tribalism

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By Raffique Shah
May 19, 2017

Raffique ShahI did a double-take upon reading Freddie Kissoon’s post-May Day column in the Kaieteur News of Guyana. I don’t know Kissoon personally, but I do know that he’s an activist and a writer who is not averse to controversy, who writes as he sees things, damn the consequences.
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Court, General T&T, PNM, Politics, Property Tax, Recession, UNC

PROPERTY TAX IN COURT

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By Jada Loutoo
May 13 2017 – newsday.co.tt

PROPERTY TAX IN COURTAN ALL out attack has been launched against Government on the implementation of the property tax. In separate strikes, legal letters were fired off yesterday by a battery of lawyers representing three landowners threatening to take Government to court for what has been described as an “ambush” on citizens.

Two of the actions seek to have the courts review the implementation process of the controversial tax while the third is a constitutional challenge to the property tax. In the judicial review and constitutional claims former transport minister Devant Maharaj, United National Congress activist Ravi Balgobin Maharaj and Chaguanas resident Lutchmidat Ramcallie, are asking the Government to hold its hand on the implementation of the Property Tax until it amends the legislative provisions and before the court determines the actions.
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