Reinstate tax, Governor says

 WEST New Britain Governor Sasindran Muthuvel says serious consideration must be given to reviving beer and cigarette tax to generate revenue in the province.
The taxes were withdrawn by the Government after amendments were made to the 2009 Inter-Government Act.
He said West New Britian used to generate almost K3 million from charging 20 toea per bottle of alcohol and two toea per cigarette as tax.
“The amendment has prevented the provincial government from collecting any form of additional revenue,” he said.
“Failure to comply will result in the province losing its 60% GST package.”
Muthuvel said it was unacceptable that the Government amended the law because taxing people again in the provinces would discourage business and investment.
“It (charging taxes) does not discourage investment as the tax is imposed on the customers and not the businesses,” he said.
Muthuvel raised the issue of the upgrading of roads in the province.