Dear Editor,
Everywhere else in Guyana that you do a money transaction you receive an original (top copy) of the receipt. Not at GRA (Guyana). In fact everywhere else in the world customers get original receipts to keep, to include with travel expenses and for Tax Returns. Not at GRA (Guyana). GRA (Guyana) makes and breaks its own rules.
Last week I went to GPO Customs to receive packages I ordered. I was presented with two slips with an amount to go and pay. No indication of the percentage of CIF applied; just 4-digit amounts. After paying I received two A4 size yellow sheets with the transaction. I objected and requested the original for my Travel Expenses. I was pointed to the word COPY at the bottom right hand corner of the sheets and told that the word means it is ‘Customers Copy”. Really now! How banal!
This is now 6000m below the sea’s surface. Twilight.
Next GRA (Guyana) insists on fire victims (people who have just lost everything they’ve worked for their entire life) to pay $2000 for a replacement of a $1000 A4 size 125g piece of paper with writing. Frontline workers tell the customers that it is their policy but there is no such policy posted where customers can see and verify or indeed scrutinize for its legality. This is a draconian measure and indeed goes against the grain of the Constitution, that section which states that no subjunctive Rule or Law should exert hardship on citizens. I am paraphrasing here.
GRA (Guyana) inflicts hardships mercilessly on the proletariats in Guyana and turn a blind eye on the heavyweight Merchants and Distributors and Importers and some others – as is now trending in the news. Complaints to Minister of Public Affairs and others but GRA (Guyana) continues on its merry way. And I stand waiting for my originals, please. It is the requirement by Law.