Kamla: Manning will bring back TTRA, Property Tax if he is re-elected

The leader of the opposition is calling a spade a spade and suggesting that there is hypocrisy behind the government's plan to hold debate on the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority (TTRA) and rethink the hated property tax that took effect in January.

Cabinet minister Conrad Enill told the Senate Monday that the government will not go ahead with the TTRA until it completes "full consultations" with the Public Services Association (PSA).

And Finance Minister Karen Nunez-Teshiera also disclosed that Government would revise its move to increase the property tax.

But Kamla Persad-Bissessar is not impressed. Speaking with reporters following Spiritual Shouter Baptist celebrations Tuesday, said she does not trust those statements.

She noted that Prime Minister Patrick Manning is using the two issues as a political gimmick on the eve of an election and therefore he should not be trusted.

She warned that if the people re-elect Manning and the PNM the government would go full speed ahead with both plans. "I don’t think people are going to be fooled by that," she said.

The UNC leader added, "All the time they were determined that they would proceed with both the Property Tax and the Revenue Authority. I think it is a ruse into fooling people into thinking ’vote for me, I wouldn’t do it’, but I don’t think anyone is going to be fooled again."

The government had staunchly defended both measures all along and had refused opposition calls for them to be dropped. The property tax generated nationwide protests and the finance minister insisted that she won't change anything in it because it was a fairer tax and that it would benefit people.

With regard to the TTRA, government was adamant that it was necessary to reform the revenue collection system and refused to budge on it despite protests from the PSA and the opposition.

The PSA had even enlisted the help of the opposition with one PSA member being appointed as a temporary to debate the measure in the Upper House. The bill was scheduled for debate Monday when Enill announced that the government would not proceed until consultations are completed.

Both issues show a complete turnaround in the government's policies and come at a time when there is heightened speculation of an imminent general election. The statements coincide with other promises, including plans for a new health initiative that involves the building of four new hospitals and the upgrading of existing ones.

The Manning government has also just announced a $300 million development plan for Laventille.

UNC Chairman Jack Warner complained in a media release Tuesday about what he called political discrimination in the decision to leave out the Chaguanas - Couva region from the health plan.

Read the story: Jack accuses PM of political discrimination in health care plan

Persad-Bissessar also told reporters Tuesday that her party had started screening candidates for the Local Government election but now that a general election appears to be the priority the UNC will shift its focus to nominating candidates for the 41 candidates. ’

She said she cannot predict whether Manning is bluffing with his election talk, but she assured reporters that she and her party are ready for a general election.

"Our message is resonating throughout the country and I do believe we stand a very good chance to win this election," she said. The opposition leader added, "Too much has gone wrong."