The government has the main responsibility for solving the problems highlighted in the Auditor General’s Report
Statement by Stefanos Stefanou, AKEL C.C. Spokesperson
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 21st December 2016, Nicosia
The Report of the Auditor General highlights many problems which beset Public Administration. AKEL will study the report in detail and try to contribute as much as it can towards addressing the problems.
Of course, it is above all executive power and the government which have the main responsibility for solving these problems. For them to do so they must first of all demonstrate the necessary political will.
Taking this into account, we note that once again the Report of the Auditor General identifies the major problem of tax evasion and of uncollected debts to the state.
At a time when the Anastasiades-DISY party government is putting the burden of addressing the economic crisis on to the backs of the majority of the people and the underprivileged strata of society, at a time when wages, pensions and benefits have been cut and the welfare state has been downgraded, tax evasion continues to rise sharply.
As Mr. Anastasiades stated, when he was in opposition: “For us tax evasion is an illegal practice that must be stamped out mercilessly. For the government it is an excuse for inaction.” Mr. President you’ve been in power for four years!
The Report of the Auditor General also highlights the aspect of the government’s discriminatory and selective decisions on issues related to the granting of a town planning permit by way of derogation.
The Report refers to a case of a looming decision of the Cabinet for the approval of a derogation contributing to the increase in the profit from the sale of a shopping centre. And we are talking about profit that amounted to several million Euros.
Citizens should therefore draw their own conclusions.
