Adding value to life
Value Added Tax (VAT) is a charge being levied on goods and services, but the ultimate burden rests with the users of such goods and services (“VAT in UAE: what is exempt and what is not”, Gulf News, December 6). The news of VAT has rolled out in the UAE, and it has sparked a delusive paranoia among laymen that it will be heavy on the pocket. On the other hand the larger picture of VAT needs to be pondered upon more visibly. Relatively tiny contribution of the public in the form of VAT is going to be an additional resource for the government exchequer, which will be paid back to the contributor in the form of government spending for the benefit of the people. This creates an invisible synergy to propel economic activity and enhancement at large.
Mr Salim M. Panthodi
Abu Dhabi
Young minds
The 12-year-old Mohammad Al Jounde, a Syrian refugee boy who won the Children’s Peace Price wanted to build a school for refugees in Lebanon, is laudable (“Syrian boy wins Children’s Peace Prize for building refugee school in Lebanon”, Gulf News, December 5). His noble gesture at this young age for the cause of education is remarkable. Syrian refugee children will benefit. Congratulations to Mohammad Al Jounde.
From Mr Ragavan
Bengaluru
India
Do the right thing, save the planet
I just saw the heart wrenching video of how plastic pollution is destroying marine life and its natural habitat (“A million bottles a minute: Oceans choke on plastic binge”, Gulf News, December 6). I think the solution is simple but drastic. However, in times and circumstances like this, drastic measures are needed. We may already be at the point of no return for much of the marine life, but maybe we can save our planet and with that ourselves. So this approach could be considered self-preservative or even selfish, but it is doing the right thing. Regulations are needed so that it is mandatory for all companies to use bio-degradable plastics in all their product packaging. This should be the law. Yes the cost will go up for these companies, but they have the freedom to pass this cost onto their customers, who in turn have the discretion to make a purchase or not. In any case, the current method of production and reckless consumption cannot continue. It is difficult for people to change habits, so I cannot expect this to be a solution. In any case, even if a majority of people began to recycle, it would still continue to impact our planet. The only solution is to ensure that companies that produce plastics and use plastic alter the composition of this material to make it biodegradable - whatever the cost, because the implication of not doing so, is a higher cost to mankind.
From Mr Danyal Tirmazi
UAE
Plastic is killing us
It’s not difficult to drastically reduce our use of plastic. Take your own steel cutlery and re-usable cups, plates and bowls to use in the workplace; it takes seconds to wash after use. Stop using supermarket plastic bags, take your own shopping jute bag or trolley. If you buy food that’s wrapped or stored in plastic containers, make sure you send it for recycling. All your tins and glass bottles are recyclable and all our cardboard and paper is recyclable. Sadly, it’s the minority that recycle in this region, and that’s despite awareness campaigns. I agree that it’s difficult to stop using plastic altogether, however each and every one of us can make a difference by recycling and making some small change in our lifestyle. Supermarkets are in a prime position to make changes and reduce or stop the use of plastic. I was excited to read in the paper that one supermarket chain announced on World Environment Day that with immediate effect, they were going to stop the use of plastic carrier bags. But sadly, this has not happened and there is no change. Supermarkets should start charging for each plastic bag used or provide an alternative like an option of paper carrier bags, which can be reused and recycled. I would happily accept this alternative. Major manufacturers should also be setting an example. They should stop wrapping goods in bubble wrap since it is not recyclable. There must be many recyclable alternatives they can consider for this purpose. I was brought up in a time before plastic. There was no issue with shopping then because of it, so there should be no issues now.
From Mr Plaskel A.
UAE
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