HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 102814,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/102814/?format=api",
"text_counter": 211,
"type": "other",
"speaker_name": "",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "percent, Value Added Tax (VAT), 25 percent, Appropriations-in-Aid, 8 percent and Pay As You Earn (PAYE), 37 percent. I would like to recommend very strongly that this sector called Appropriations-in-Aid has for a long time remained uniform. It has not increased or reduced. Even when the economy appears to be growing, this item continues to be constant. I would like to call the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister to ensure more is done on collections and more can be done through implementation of collections by use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Some few sectors are doing that so that we are able to guarantee that this A-in-A, which, of course, relates to various fines, fees and charges that are collected in every point where Government gives services, rises. If this rises, it will ensure that we do not raise money by increasing PAYE, taxes on VAT and Excise Duty. Can we get a policy for ensuring that we hold items like Value Added Tax (VAT) and Pay as You Earn (PAYE) constant for two or three years during which we ensure that we enhance and streamline incomes or revenues from Appropriations-in-Aid (A-i-A) as well as expand the tax band to net minimal people so that, at least, we are able to ensure distribution or redistribution of taxes fairly and favourably? Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, when you look at where money has gone or ought to go, it is good as a country, to address and ask ourselves whether we are putting money where our mouths are. Looking at the current economic survey, you will find that our economy currently is being driven by about four or five sectors. The tourism sector is now contributing about 42.6 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The building and construction sector is contributing 14.1 per cent. Amazingly, number three is the fishing sector with 7.4 per cent, and transport and communication contributing 6.4 per cent, with agriculture towing along with a negative 2.6 per cent. What are we saying? We are saying that we need to put money and synergies where sectors already promise huge potential, so that the same potential can be multiplied a lot more so that we are able to realize more revenues from these sectors. These are also sectors that have a capacity of creating a lot of employment, which a majority of our people, especially the young, need. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, in his Budget Policy Statement, the Minister alluded to the need to conduct the process of budget rationalization, so as to reduce wastage as well as to ensure that money is not going to non-priority sectors. The Minister promised that such expenditures as luxury cars were going to be reduced, and various departments were going to surrender their vehicles, and that these vehicles were going to be auctioned in a public auction. We would like to know--- It is good to know, and it would be wise to know between then and now, one year down the line, how much has the auction of vehicles realized? And that which has been realized, which Votes has it been allocated to? Was the same done prudently and openly?"
}