Member of Parliament for the Addu Meedhoo constituency, Rozaina Adam has claimed that the people of the country are not complaining that 20 rufiyaa GST for luxury items is a large amount.
Speaking at the Committee of the Whole House in the parliament regarding the amendment proposed by the government to increase tax rates starting from January next year, Rozaina said that people spend more than 20 rufiyaas even on coffees. Therefore no one is complaining about having to pay an extra 20 only for luxury items.
Rozaina stated that some members were speaking regarding the amendment in misleading ways. The decision of the government to increase taxes was done for the sake of the people, she added.
“Repeatedly negative campaigning here (in the parliament), asserting that this act is bleeding the people dry, taking their money and placing it in “black bags” and taking it home, that would mislead the people too. It’s not how it’s happening,” president of MDP’s women’s branch, Rozaina said.
Rozaina stated that the decision to raise taxes was not a political decision, and that if it was, it could have been done after the presidential elections. The reason it was done now, she said, was for the good of the people, as postponing this would have devastating effects on the nation.
“We don’t want this country to become like Sri Lanka. Our finance minister has repeatedly assured us that we can manage and that will be possible if we work together according to his plan. If we cooperate, it’s not a loss we are getting,” stated Rozaina.
The government has proposed increasing GST from 6% to 8% and TGST from 12% to 16% starting from January next year.
Speaking at the Committee of the Whole House in the parliament regarding the amendment proposed by the government to increase tax rates starting from January next year, Rozaina said that people spend more than 20 rufiyaas even on coffees. Therefore no one is complaining about having to pay an extra 20 only for luxury items.
Rozaina stated that some members were speaking regarding the amendment in misleading ways. The decision of the government to increase taxes was done for the sake of the people, she added.
“Repeatedly negative campaigning here (in the parliament), asserting that this act is bleeding the people dry, taking their money and placing it in “black bags” and taking it home, that would mislead the people too. It’s not how it’s happening,” president of MDP’s women’s branch, Rozaina said.
Rozaina stated that the decision to raise taxes was not a political decision, and that if it was, it could have been done after the presidential elections. The reason it was done now, she said, was for the good of the people, as postponing this would have devastating effects on the nation.
“We don’t want this country to become like Sri Lanka. Our finance minister has repeatedly assured us that we can manage and that will be possible if we work together according to his plan. If we cooperate, it’s not a loss we are getting,” stated Rozaina.
The government has proposed increasing GST from 6% to 8% and TGST from 12% to 16% starting from January next year.
