Empathising with those farmers whose livelihoods have been severely affected by the scourge of praedial larceny and the recent drop in avocado sales, Opposition Senator Penelope Beckles assured government benches that they would have their support in the House as they move to amend the laws. "We have to look seriously at reviewing the praedial larceny laws, perhaps by making the fines a lot more stiff and I am hoping it is something the government will look at, as I am sure of the PNM's support (for such amendment)," she said in her contribution to the 2012 budget debate in the Senate last Friday.
Beckles' comments came two days after police reports confirmed that close to 2,000 avocados had been injected with a weedicide (Cypro) by a Tunapuna resident, who had grown weary over the repeated theft of his produce. In lauding some of the "highlights" of the Government's fiscal package such as "the scholarships for the underprivileged" and the reduction of "TTMF rates" and "ADB loan rates", the senator expressed surprise over the Government's continued use of special purpose companies whose procurement practices were severely criticised by the Opposition while the People's National Movement was in power.
"This Government has retained every single special purpose company that was started under the PNM, including Udecott, and in the recent Clico matter they have created another one," Beckles said. She questioned whether it was fair of the Finance Minister to blame the private sector for "not stepping up to the challenge of economic regeneration", when there was a link between investor confidence and one's confidence in the Government's economic forecast. "If it is the Government is saying the private sector needs to step up to the plate, then the Government has to give them more confidence. "If as a Minister of Finance, you say to the country that you are operating with imperfect data, what is the message you are sending to the public, to the private sector and to the foreign investors?" Beckles asked.
