Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh yesterday welcomed the ruling by Chief Justice Ian Chang that the opposition’s slashing of the 2012 budget was unlawful.
He said that while Government intends to examine the ruling in detail, it does appear to bring closure to the matter of the budget cuts.
Singh in a statement said that the Opposition’s initial responses to the ruling, and in particular their apparent refusal to accept it, “display their continued contempt for the courts of Guyana and their lack of concern for that which is in the public interest.
It is time for the Opposition to accept the ruling of the Court and permit progress and development to continue in our country.”
He said that the Opposition would also be well advised to engage in meaningful consultation on Budget 2014 instead of refusing to meet with Government and continuing to threaten further unconstitutional cuts.
Despite Government’s numerous invitations to the APNU, it has announced its refusal to participate. APNU has said consultations at this point so close to budget day would not be fruitful.
