Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo says the penalties contained in the Finance Bill are designed to protect citizens.

Speaking during the Senate debate yesterday, Tancoo defended the proposed increases in penalties, arguing that weak fines often become merely a cost of doing business.

“A weak fine tells the offender break the law, pay a small amount and continue as normal. And this Government will not enable lawlessness. Mr President, listening to the Opposition in the other place reinforced something this country has already come to know,” he said.