Rate for All

I realised Walk the talk is easier say than done. I attended a meeting discussing the rate of fee for businesses few days ago. The discussion was on determining new rate for businesses in which various opinions were brought up. There are suggestion to have the rate based on type of activities, rate based on space occupied by the activities as well as a flat rate for all. While different formula was justified based on the practicality, logistic, administrative convenience, response of the stakeholders, fair for all, none has been touching on observing the spirit of the organisation.

The organisation has been promoting caring towards society in which underprivileged such as disabled community, small traders and businesses, senior citizen, poor people are given special attention. Policies and programmes are planned with these groups for improving their social well being and engagement with society. In other words, preferential treatment is always talked about in deliberating a common policy.

In the case of rate, finally the meeting decided to fix a flat rate for all regardless type of activities, size of the space occupied and location. Businesses regardless of small, medium of large will have to pay the small rate. In other words, the preferential consideration for underprivileged group is not a factor for consideration. So, either you are one-man operated business occupying a space only to place table or a conglomerate occupying multi-storey office tower, you are treated the same. Well, to some the rate is "chicken feet" but to many of them the rate is a burden, I believe.