More productivity with higher wages—TTMA
With increased wages there must be increased productivity, the T&T Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) said in its budget response. Noting that the minimum wage will increase by 20 per cent from
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Hike in traffic fines good—Arrive Alive
Road safety NGO Arrive Alive has commended Finance Minister Larry Howai for his proposed 50 per cent increase in fines for driving offences. Contacted yesterday, the group’s president Sharon Inglef
View ArticleRowley unmoved by budget: Rehash of PNM policies
Geisha KowlessarOpposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley has knocked the People’s Partnership Government for trying to implement policies which were initiated by the PNM and for spending billions and having...
View ArticleBabycare grant brings laughter
Gail AlexanderMost of Finance Minister Larry Howai’s budget delivery yesterday received the silent attention of the Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM), until he announced the grant to assist...
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Sweeteners from Howai
Gail AlexanderSenior citizens’ pension increases, a minimum wage of $15 an hour, another tax amnesty, mortage concessions for homeowners and compensation for protective services officers killed in the...
View ArticleRise in minimum wage will bring inflation—ECA
Neil Derrick, vice-chairman of the Employers’ Consultative Association (ECA), is concerned about the proposed increase in the minimum wage. He said it may have repercussions on the economy and call
View ArticleFixin’ T&T fears for corruption
Fixin’ T&T is estimating that, yet again, 50 to 60 per cent of the $64 billion budget will be lost to corruption and inefficiency. “We are reiterating our call for legislation to plug the holes
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Following snub at COP anniversary: Carolyn advised to form new party
Radica SookrajCongress of the People supporters are telling their chairman, Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan, to leave the COP and form a new party, following Saturday’s snub at the party’s eighth anniversary...
View ArticleTunapuna chamber grateful for tax, VAT ease
David Edwards, president of the Greater Tunapuna Chamber of Commerce, said Government has offered an “election budget full of goodies.” In an initial response to the Finance Minister Larry Howai’s
View ArticleThumbs up from South business
Reshma RagoonathSouth business associations have described the $64.664 billion budget as a “good” fiscal package.
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Four Roads plan may be reviewed
Anna-Lisa PaulDirector of the Highways Division, Roger Ganesh, yesterday insisted that the road fatality at the new intersection at Four Roads, Diego Martin, was not due to the Ministry of Works and...
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Devant happy with agriculture funding
Anna-Lisa PaulFood Production Minister Devant Maharaj says he is happy with the $1.3 billion allocation to his ministry in this year’s budget. Also expressing confidence that farmers will benefit from...
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Economist warns of Govt wastage
Kevon FelmineGovernment’s plan to pump millions of dollars into the non-energy sector could see taxpayers’ dollars being wasted.
View ArticleHowai on election claims: There’s always politics
Geisha KowlessarIn all budgets there is always a “bit of an overview of politics,” said Finance Minister Larry Howai, responding to claims that the 2014/2015 budget presented in Parliament on Monday...
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Govt relief package ‘an election gimmick’
Political analyst Dr Winsford James says the 2015 budget was intended to appease the population in the light of abuses the Government has committed over the years. And James says the measures propo
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$60,000 for Patos’ Divine Echoes
Gail AlexanderRecurrent expenditure for the Prime Minister’s Office for 2015 is listed in budget documents as $638.7 million.
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More $$ for EBC in election year
Gail AlexanderThe Election and Boundaries Commission’s estimates of recurrent expenditure for the 2015 general election year totals $164.3 million, an increase over its 2013 and 2014 figures. The...
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400 owners in line to collect
Rhondor DowlatApproximately 400 maxi taxi owners will benefit from the VAT and Motor Vehicle Tax rebate announced by the Minister of Finance Larry Howai during Monday’s budget. The rebate was promised...
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Maxi owners on $35m tax rebate: Wives already counting cash
Gail AlexanderMaxi taxi operators who purchased 25-seater vehicles in previous years will be getting $35 million in rebates from the 2015 budget, as the People’s Partnership (PP) Government seeks to...
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Overloaded CARPHA stops testing for chikungunya in T&T, but no official...
Anna-Lisa PaulThe Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), which is mandated to test and confirm the instances of chikungunya virus throughout the region, has reportedly stopped testing, owing to the...
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