[kictanet] PROPOSED RADIATION TAX: PROTECTION OR A BARRIER TO ACCESS?

[Vitalis Olunga]

There is no justification for the introduction of this kind of a tax.  It would be more logical to have radaition satandards set limits enforced  with a fine to those who install  eqipment which exceed the set standard radiation limits. In any case this could only apply to the hanset vendors, the equipment suppliers and  operators, not the end users.  There are generally accepted  international standards which guide the indutry which are already There is no rational thinking behind all this.  Taxation cannot be used as an enforcement of regulations/laws to limit the radiation from equipment. It is even worse that students and researchers are to be taxed for the research work, whose  results could be of the lbenefit of the wealfare of the socitey. Passing the tax to the end user should not be seen as a solution, as this will only increase the cost of using mobile phone and hamper the growth in the industry. The operators should find a better
 approach to the issue, not to take an easy path. Intevetion by the regulatry authority is ncessary.

Regards

VKO




________________________________
From: Grace Bomu <nmutungu at gmail.com>
To: volunga at yahoo.com
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Sent: Fri, March 12, 2010 9:13:19 AM
Subject: [kictanet] PROPOSED RADIATION TAX: PROTECTION OR A BARRIER TO ACCESS?

See article on proposed radiation tax that appeared in business daily....
http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Company%20Industry/New%20tax%20jolts%20mobile%20phone%20pricing%20/-/539550/877542/-/item/2/-/18ln3sz/-/index.html

New tax jolts mobile phone pricing 

By Okuttah Mark  (email the author)
A new “radiation tax” is threatening to upset household budgets at a time when families are grappling with the rising cost of living despite the recent adoption of a less volatile method of tallying consumer price changes.
The tax is one of the sticking points in proposals by the Radiation Protection Board to beef up its revenues. 
Besides proposing higher fees for its services, the board has broadened the range of items on which it can charge penalties for releasing harmful rays to the atmosphere to include mobile phone handsets, microwave ovens and transmission masts owned by telecommunications companies. 
Industry players fear the new fees will dampen the recent growth in the telecommunications and consumer electronics sectors by pushing up retail prices for handsets, microwave ovens and other household items deemed to emit electromagnetic rays beyond the reach of the majority.
The board is seeking public views on the proposed levies, which some stakeholders have vowed to resist because they will mean additional taxation and a burden on consumers. 

See full article here: http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Company%20Industry/New%20tax%20jolts%20mobile%20phone%20pricing%20/-/539550/877542/-/item/0/-/18ln3uz/-/index.html


-- 
Grace L.N. Mutung'u (Bomu)
+254721898732
+254736091242
Kenya


      
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