Dear Editor,
The unsolicited advice or proposal by Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran to “Enact law to prevent public servants, MPs from accepting gifts” (Oct 28) is endorsed and supported by many if not by most or all Guyanese. In the diaspora, there is widespread support. In Guyana, the corrupt may oppose such recommendation. I am sure that President Ali and Vice President Jagdeo and their government would support the idea because of their very strong position against corruption. Presenting public servants, police officials, MPs, and members of the cabinet with gifts in developed countries are considered acts of corruption if not declared.
Guyanese have long complained about these gifts which are seen as an institutionalization of corruption. Many countries outlaw acceptance of gifts regardless whether they are for anniversaries or weddings or birthdays or festivals. In USA, for example, it is against the law for public officials and public servants, including police and soldiers, and their spouses or family members to accept a gift and not report it to the authorities. Members of Congress, Members of the Cabinet, the President and VP and their wives, etc. must report and deposit all gifts presented to them to the appropriate agency of the state on gifting.
It would be considered insulting for an official to refuse or reject a gift from a foreign official. So the gifts are accepted and reported. Educators at state institutions are also prohibited from accepting gifts above a certain value of a few dollars from students and their families. Those gifts to officials become property of the state. The recipients can petition the state to have the gifts after they leave office. In some cases, where the value of the gifts is small, the state agency may allow it. Because the gifts are illegal, recipients hardly request to have them.
Public officials in USA were known to be prosecuted for not reporting gifts and or turning them over to the state. In India, the respected former Dep PM, LK Advani, during his decades as a MP instructed staff that all gifts be deposited at the front door of the building where his office was located or his residence. He refused all gifts and served with integrity. Guyana should consider a similar law or policy as in America. Outlaw the acceptance of gift by all public servants and officials.
Sincerely,
Vishnu Bisram