The PP would have increased their political stocks with the removal of VAT from basic food items but are people going to benefit? With the mantra of business being "profit", it is difficult to see Vasant Bharath's "moral suasion" having any effect.
It is equally difficult to see a "conscionable" businessman cutting back on his profits for the good of the people. He will try to "up" the selling price and will trade on the typical Trini indifference to such issues and the now almost cultural ineffectiveness when it comes to regulation either by law or by the state.
But there are things that can be done to counter this. The consumer can now take note of current prices, unless they may have already gone up as is likely the case, compare them with the new ones, and refuse to buy if there is any discrepancy, or report it to any appropriate agency or individual like the Consumers' Division or the Prices Council or Lee Yuen or Balliram Maharaj of the Supermarkets' Association.
I walk away on principle from vendors who want to make a killing, as for example with the current price of tomatoes and vegetables at this Divali time.
And it's time the typical Trini stops being a show-off about paying high prices and seek to imitate the American consumer who will protest on principle for a penny increase! The government, too, can play its part by seriously implementing its regulatory strategies. It can administer penalties as with fines or withhold the granting of future licences.
Dr Errol Benjamin
via e-mail