UNP submits alternate budget proposals
2008-11-04 14:44:20

The United National Party in their alternate budget proposed the increasing of salaries of all public servants by 20% with the minimum increase of Rs. 7500.

The UNP also proposed the increase in pensions to senior citizens by Rs. 3500.

In other proposals made by the party, the prices of fuel was to be reduced based on the prices of the world market in order to ensure that the benefits derived from world market prices are given directly to the people. Accordingly, a petrol litre would be sold at Rs. 85, while diesel and kerosene oil would be sold at Rs. 75 and 59 per litre respectively.

The party also stated that essential consumer good would be sold at reasonable prices in their alternate budget proposals. For instance, a kilo of dhal would then be sold at Rs. 125.

In order to provide relief to those using non-luxury vehicles in attending to their daily needs, the party proposed the removal of all taxes levied on vehicles such as buses, vans, tractors, trishaws and motorcycles.

The party also proposed that the minimum wage of the armed forces cadres be increased to Rs. 40,000, and the minimum wage of a member of the police force to Rs. 32,000.

UNP also proposed the introduction of a simple consumer friendly tax system, whereby instead of the 20% VAT which causes increase in the cost of living, a new Consumption Tax between 10-11% be introduced.

The re-activation of the 17th Amendment and the re-establishment of the independent commissions for bribery and corruption, public service, elections, police and finance in order to bring transparency into fiscal management as well as reducing the number of ministers to 35 were other proposals made by the UNP..