Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar tore up a property fax form in front of a large crowd of supporters in Debe yesterday as she called on citizens to do likewise when they receive the forms in their mail boxes.
Challenging the Government to lock her up for failing to submit the form by the May 22 deadline, Persad-Bissessar said she had received legal advice that the form is “null and void” and as a consequence they are under no obligation in law to fill out and submit the forms.
Drawing her first battle line at the public rally at Fun Splash Water Park in Debe following the United National Congress (UNC) motorcade in ten constituencies in south Trinidad, Persad-Bissessar said the opposition needed support from the public to win the war against the tax. She said they had three battles to win — in the street, in Parliament and in court — against the “back breaking tax,” which she dubbed the poverty tax.
“Here is the first battle that is in your hands and which you can win and we all can win,” said Persad-Bissessar. And as she held up the property tax form, she added, “You are getting in your mail boxes a form like this. Does it have a name in it? Does it have an address on it?”
“I am a lawyer yes, but I have consulted with other lawyers and we have gone through the Valuation Land Act and we have gone through the Property Tax Act and it is very clear that this form is null and void.
“And today I tell you, you have no obligation in law to fill out this form and send it in, none whatsover. There is nothing in the law, they cannot prosecute you. They can do you nothing.”
Telling them, “This is what to do,” the former prime minister then ripped up the form and threw the pieces into the crowd.
“And if they come to lock you up, let them lock me up first. Do not help them, do not help them to send people in your homes.
You have your wife and your children at home and you working your life out and they want to send a stranger into your house, they want to see what you have inside your house. In this time of crime, the worst ever in our history...”
Noting that the form had no address or name on it,” she said, “Look that (the form) is for a ghost.
Recalling that during her tenure as prime minister her administration did not levy any tax on the population, she promised when the UNC is returned to power it will repeal the property tax. She said the UNC will also be hosting rallies in other constituencies throughout T&T.
She also paid tribute to the party’s founding fathers, in particular former prime minister Basdeo Panday, as they celebrated the party’s 28 birthday yesterday. Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal reiterated a call for government to call general elections on a referendum on the property tax. Also speaking at the rally were chairman David Lee, Oropouche West MP Vidia Gayadeen-Gopeesingh.
Princes Town MP Barry Padarath, Naparima MP Rodney Charles and Dr Rampersad Parasram.
