WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 1978
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AN ELIGIBLE OFFICER OCCUPYING HIS OWN FLAT RECEIVES A HOUSE ALLOWANCE OF A MERE TWO OR THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS COMPARED WITH A PRIVATE TENANCY ALLOWANCE OF SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR ANOTHER WHO DOES NOT LIVE IN HIS OWN FLAT. THE SCHEME ALSO INVITES ABUSE THROUGH OFFICERS BUYING PROPERTIES UNDER ASSURED NAMES, WHILE FINANCIALLY, IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE TO THE GOVERNMENT WHETHER THE ALLOWANCE IS PAID OUT IN RENT, IN MONTHLY INSTALMENTS, OR IN LOANS FOR OFFICERS TO BUY THEIR OWN FLATS, HE SAID.
HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER LONG TERM LOANS AT CONCESSIONARY RATES OF INTEREST TO ASSIST ITS EMPLOYEES, BOTH LOCAL AND EXPATRIATE, TO PURCHASE THEIR OWN HOMES.
DR. FANG STATED THAT AS CONVENER OF AN UMELCO AD HOC GROUP FORMED TO STUDY THE GREEN PAPER ON SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY HE FELT DUTY BOUND TO ASK THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO RECONSIDER REINSTATING THE DEPENDENT PARENTS' ALLOWANCE.
THE OSTENSIBLE REASON FOR ABOLISHING IT IN 1973 WAS TO SIMPLIFY AND ASSIST ADMINISTRATION AND DISCOURAGE EVASION. BUT THIS CANNOT BE VALID NOW, HE EXPLAINED.
THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN STAFF FOR THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT AND THE PLANNED INTRODUCTION OF COMPUTER ISATION SHOULD ALSO SIMPLIFY ADMINISTRATION. + IT SEEMS QUITE WRONG IN PRINCIPLE TO PENALISE THE MAJORITY BECAUSE A FEW UNSCRUPULOUS TAXPAYERS ABUSED THE SCHEME, HE SAID.
ADMITTEDLY, HE CONTINUED, THE ABOLITION OF THE ALLOWANCE WAS PART OF A QUID PRO QUO FOR AN INCREASE IN PERSONAL, WIFE AND CHILD ALLOWANCES BUT ANY BENEFITS IN REAL TERMS DERIVED FROM THIS PACKAGE DEAL HAVE LONG SINCE BEEN ERODED BY INFLATION.
+THE COMMUNITY HAS SPOKEN WITH ONE VOICE ON THIS ISSUE AND I HOPE THAT IT WILL MOVE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO RECONSIDER HIS STAND. + HE SAID.
DR. FANG SUPPORTED THE MOVE TOWARDS SOCIAL WELFARE SUBVENTION ON A UNIT RATE BASIS SINCE THIS WILL GIVE GREATER SECURITY AND CONFIDENCE TO THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN HELPING TO IMPLEMENT THE VARIOUS GREEN AND WHITE PAPER PROPOSALS.
HE SUGGESTED THAT IF THE 7 MILLION ALLOCATION RESERVED FOR THE PROPOSALS FOR THE YOUNG AND THE ELDERLY BE NOT SPENT IN 1978-79 SINCE THE GREEN PAPERS TAKE TIME TO TURN WHITE, IT BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR EXPANSION IN EXISTING SERVICES IN OTHER FIELDS.
DR. FANG DREW ATTENTION TO THE NEED TO ADEQUATELY REMUNERATE THE AUXILIARY POLICE. HE POINTED GUT THAT THEIR PAY AND ALLOWANCES HAVE NOT BEEN ADJUSTED SINCE 1972 DURING WHICH TILE THEIR REGULAR COUNTERPARTS HAVE HAD FOUR SALARY INCREASES ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE CIVIL SERVICE. IN ADDITION IN NOVEMBER 1973 A SPECIAL REVISION WAS MADE FOR THE REGULAR RANK AND FILE.
HE NOTED THAT THE ESTIMATES FOR TEXT YEAR WOULD SOON PUT THIS RIGHT BUT HE WANTED TO BE ASSURED THAT I LIKE ITH THE LAST
INCREASE FOR THE WHOLE CIVIL SERVICE, THE REVISED SALARY SCALES WOULD BE MADE RETROSPECTIVE TO MARIL 1, 1977.
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