Dear Editor,
An early first look at the new budget reveals that the coalition government has addressed 5 of the 21 items identified for prioritization in its first 100 days programme. These include tolls, public service salary increases, old age pensions, VAT (partial), and duty waivers. It is an encouraging start.
In addition, there were prior reports of action in another four areas that come to mind. They were: presidential pensions, local government elections, outlying passport services and telecommunications. This makes for a total of 9 of 21 items from the first 100 days action programme that have received some form of full or partial attention. I ask to be excused if I have missed an area or two that was already dealt with.
As I wrote earlier in the Catholic Standard, if the new administration can fulfil 50% of its promised programme within the 100 day time period, then that would be considered a solid and reasonable start. Last, I believe that some of the residual matters from the programme could be engaging a lot of effort behind the scenes right now, and they might be a mere pen stroke (signature) and announcement away from public delivery.
From my perspective, this is a good beginning. I relate very well to those who keep promises, and honour word and commitment. I wait for more of the same.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
