Dear Editor,
Carl Roopchand writes that “This Practice is the Zenith of Corruption” in another media because an individual there is calling in business folks to discuss using his firm for business. I agree! In that as well as several other ministries, a person would call in contractors or bidders or investors to discuss “investment fees” or “non-government taxes” (drawback or corruption money) as business folks call them. This behaviour is not anything strange and unique as it characterises most ministries.
The investment fee varies from between 7% to 20%. All major business folks know the culprits. The corrupt runs amok; the Vice President does nothing about it. Certain known tainted individuals going back pre-2015 have been appointed with high positions to be “the bag man” or carry out instructions.
The practice of contract fees is widespread in almost all Ministries from the head and a few surrounding him or her, not only under this government but all governments except under the Jagans. It was a cancer under the coalition and the cancer is spreading rapidly under this administration at the top. Only a handful of Ministers or Ministries is excluded — like Social Security, Health, Public Service, Prime Minister, Labour, etc. The whole cabinet is aware of corrupt practices and seems to have condoned it. No one speaks out.
In addition to corruption, immorality is rising. A high official attempted to rape a young lady in a Ministry’s office just a couple days ago. And another official (not in a Ministry’s office) had set up a bedroom on the top floor of his office with female guests as visitor. This the kind of government that has replaced the rejected coalition.
People are indeed looking and assessing. Just like what happened in 2011 and 2015 is likely to be repeated in 2025. After 13 months, there is enough justification for a change in administration to recur as a bulwark against corruption and immorality. If government does not think it is rapidly being hated as much as the coalition, then it should call a snap election.
Yours truly,
(Name Withheld)
