The VAT issue continues.

Had a complaint from the wife today (not good).
She was talking to her mother and sister in Guyana last night and as it turns out they were complaining about VAT on food stuff.

Now looking at GINA's website on VAT (http://www.gina.gov.gy/vat/vatupdate.html), they are saying that there are some zero rated items and some that are exempt. I'm not too sure but I think over here (in the UK) almost all foods if not everything is VAT free (Someone can help me out here).

Zero rated items are; Basic Food Items, Medical Services, Educational Services and materials, Electricity, Utilities (except telecommunications), Locally produced building materials, Vehicles four years and older, Computers.

Basic Food Items are; Bread, Rice, Sugar, Cooking Oil, Milk, Baby Formula, Split Peas, Onion, Garlic, Potatoes
Fruits (except apples, grapes, dates, prunes, peaches, plums and strawberries).
Vegetables (except olives, carrots, black eye peas, pigeon peas, chick peas, (garbanzos), radishes, broccoli, cauliflower).

Exempt items are; Kerosene, Propane (cooking gas), Gasoline, Diesel.

Now...what have the government got against us ?

I can have bread in the morning when I get up but no butter or cheese? I can also have a cup of milk with sugar and water but no tea bag or coffee?
Lunch and dinner is not looking bright right now.
Lets see...lunch...slice up a couple potatoes or plantains and fry them in the oil for chips (phew...oops VAT on salt)
OK...dinnertime...dahl, rice and some kind of vegetable curry (tastes like crap though because salt is on the VAT list again)

ARE PEOPLE IN GUYANA REALLY EXPECTED TO EAT SELECTIVELY BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO FEED THE WHOLE FAMILY ???
OR SKIP LUNCH TO SAVE A MEAL ???
WHAT ARE WE TO DO, KEEP IN LINE OR HALF STARVE OUR PEOPLE TO DEATH ???