By Jomo Paul
[www.inewsguyana.com] – Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Khurshid Sattaur is once again in the local spotlight after he received a hefty dose of criticism from Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo over the release of private tax information.
Sattaur in the past week has lashed out against politician James Bond who had called for his resignation, accusing him of corrupt practices involving a motorcycle.
But Prime Minister Nagamootoo during an appearance on Hard Talk aired on 90.1 Love FM on Sunday June 21, made it clear that Sattaur had no right to release such information and by doing so has brought his office into disrepute.
“If Bond had done something that created an infraction of the law, there is clearly a legal course – you call the police in. The fact that you sat on it and didn’t do anything it means you condone it and selectively you use it against the person… If you go after people they way that I read you are going after James Bond you are bringing disrepute to your office,” said Nagamootoo.
The Prime Minister stated that he would have expected that Sattaur, being in the position that he is in, would tell the Guyanese people that he (Sattaur) believes the Commissioner General’s position should be one of highest integrity.
“If you desecrate the high office and you demean the function that you hold, then I would expect that you didn’t need the axe to fall,” the Prime Minister noted.
He reminded that Sattaur is “dealing with the efficacy of public funds, you’re collecting the people’s money, you’re holding the people’s purse” hence the Commissioner General should be open to public scrutiny and criticism without reacting in such a manner.
“Prime Minister or Moses Nagamootoo has said something about him so he can go and dig something to see if he has a file on Nagamootoo, you can do that Sattaur; you are dealing with Moses Nagamootoo here. You know I will never be intimidated,” the Prime Minister underscored.
Sattaur is qualified and knows the tax system well. The current government will not let him go until they find a capable replacement.
Moses and Company needs to ascertain if Sattaur is doing a job in the best interest of the Government… if he didn’t call out on James Bond he would have been help accountable at the whims and fancies of Moses etal… now he did Moses pounces on him… or could it be that the APNU sees usefulness in Sattaur remaining where he is as a matter of convenience for a while more but the AFC wants him out ? Or yet again, could the APNU faction using the Office of the Prime Minister to denigrate Sattaur .. good cop.. bad cop ???? very fake very fake …..
Under a lawless government he did same and got away with it. Doesn’t have the awareness to appreciate that there is a new dispensation.
Lawlessness and Unprofesional behavior must be rooted out.
James Bond, if what the commissioner alleges is true, I would suggest that you be true to yourself and resign from public involvement. Your Lesson: “He who is without sin cast the first stone.”
Rajin ———–I so not like ignorant persons like you you mention the economy took a dive it’s so disgusting when some people speak you realize they have no education when the ppp was in office the economy was dead and buried it did not take a dive. Individuals of the ppp at this time should not make any comments all they were concerned with is filling their pockets, why would a government in power have foreign companies doing major projects and no Guyanese employed why cookery what major programs did they undertake since in power. The people of Guyana are political fools they vote race and not on the issue come on people wise up its 2015 it’s a new day the majority of the people during ppp period were out of jobs now the new administration is finding out all the underhand things that occurred during their watch please relax and let the new administration revive the economy.
wake up people the economy took a dive check silly people
The puzzling question is, why is Sattaur still in office with the new administration? He should have been given walking papers weeks ago.
Plain talk Mr Prime Minister you are right on course well done. Let them know this is the people government and the can’t do as the like. Things change they are on a different play field now !!!!!!!
Sattaur is like a drug New GPC bought with less than a year’s shelf life and sold to government. Tslime to dump Sattaur. And, no, it is not ethnic cleaning.
Say goodbye
. Commissioner you and your children. You cannot serve two masters at the same time. Either you will love the one and /or hate the other or hate one and love the other.
As one of my favorite cricket commentators”, the late great Rafie Knowles would say “And he`s on his way!”. Yes the umpire shall soon confirm the decision of Sattaur..OUT!
well done mr prime minister, give jack his jacket,there is no place for square pegs in round hole