Finance Minister proposes reduction in E-levy, Minority still adamant

Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta Friday proposed a reduction in the E-levy rate from 1.75 to 1.5 per cent after meeting with the Minority leadership as part of the on-going consultation.

Sources close to the meeting indicate that the Minority Caucus was still opposed to the new rate and suggested that the entire E-levy must be dropped.

This meeting follows the first one between the two parties on January 27, which ended is a deadlock with both remaining entrenched in their positions.

It would be recalled that on Tuesday, January 25, when the House reconvened, the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, presenting the Business Statement, informed the House of further engagements on the E-levy hence the failure of the Business Committee to programme it for the first week of sitting.

He expressed the hope that the Committee would programme the proposal for consideration in the second week after the engagements with various stakeholders.

Meanwhile, the two parties are expected to go back and engage further on the E-levy after a two-hour break.

Source: GNA