By Edzorna Francis Mensah
Parliament has adjourned sine die without touching the controversial E-Levy Bill.
The adjournment was proposed by the Majority Leader, Leader of Government and was seconded by Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu after the House led by the Second Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei Owusu adopted votes and proceedings of 20th December 2021
When the vote was put on the question for adjournment, the Minority side won by voice as declared by the Second Deputy Speaker.
The House was adjourned to today, Tuesday 21st December, 2021 to continue the public business related to the Electronic Transfer Levy Bill,2021 but due to lack of consensus on the issue the house has been adjourned to next year in line with Parliamentary Calendar for the year 2021.
Minority supported the adjournment to January 18, 2022, after the contentious E-levy failed to pass due to strong opposition from NDC MPs on the floor and outside parliament.
Before Parliament reconvenes on January 18, 2022, Minority urged the government to do more consultations, according to the Haruna Iddrisu.
Mr. Iddrisu at the Press Conference noted that “the people of this country, value the work of Parliament by given the two major parties equal numbers”
He reiterated their stand to kick against the E-levy in “it current form and shape of 1.75%”.
In a related development, the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu however, expressed shock over Speaker Bagbin to absent himself at “this crucial time”.
He described yesterday’s fights on the floor as “shameful and embarrassing moment” for us MPs as he apologized.
Responsible to issues of yesterday, he said the delay for sitting on Monday, 20th December, 2021 was not masterminded by the majority side but rather due to Finance Committee sitting.
He confirmed decision by the House to adjourn to 2022 “for cool heads” over issues related to MoMo Tax.
The object of the Bill is to impose a levy on electronic transfers to enhance Government’s drive for revenue mobilisation and broaden the tax base for enhanced national development.
