Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to settlement of urban areas by former slaves and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. The resulting ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, and since then it has been ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president in what is considered the country's first free and fair election since independence. After his death five years later, his wife, Janet JAGAN, became president but resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was reelected in 2001 and again in 2006. Early elections held in May 2015 resulted in the replacement of President Donald RAMOTAR by David GRANGER.
Guyana is a parliamentary republic.
Members:
Resources
Displaying 21 - 25 of 34District Lands Partition and Re-allotment Act (Cap. 60:03).
This Act provides that the owners of (undivided) shares in any land representing more than 51 percent in any area may present a petition to the Minister for the partitioning or re-allotment of land. The Minister may appoint an officer to partition and re-allot (sect. 6). The powers of such officer are specified in section 7 to 12. Where an owner of any share or holding in land cannot be ascertained, the officer may order the share or holding to be sold by public auction (sect. 11). The Officer may determine compensation for the loss of crop (sect. 13).
Acreage Tax Act (Cap. 81:22).
The Act makes provision for the collection of taxes on acres of land imposed by Parliament. Rates of levy may vary according to the use of (arable) land. The proprietor of any plantation or any land of which any acreage tax is payable, shall provide the Commissioner of Land each year with a return in Form 1 contained in the Schedule. (12 sections and 1 Schedule)
Rice Farmers (Security of Tenure) Act (Cap. 69:02).
This Act provides for a further regulation of land tenure contracts between rice farmers and landlords in order to strengthen the position of the former. The Minister may establish committees which shall perform several duties in relation with the assessment of rents and the observance of conditions of contracts of tenancy in a specified area (sects. 8 to 26). The Minister may make regulations to implement provisions of this Act (sect. 55). (59 sections and 5 Schedules)
Implemented by: Rice farmers (Security of Tenure) Regulations. (1973)
Deeds Registry Act (Cap. 5:01).
This Act makes provision with respect to duties and procedures of the Office of the Registrar of Deeds. Procedures concern, among other things, leases and mortgages.
Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary Agricultural Development Authority Act (Cap. 69:11).
This Act provides for the establishment of an Agricultural Development Authority as a body corporate for the area described in Schedule 1. The principal tasks of the Authority are in the field of land regulation, land irrigation and drainage. The 40 sections are divided into 9 Parts: No title (sects. 1 and 2); Establishment and functions of the authority (sects. 3-5); Relationship with other agencies (sects. 6-14); Land provisions (sects. 15-20); Cooperative societies (sect. 21); Environmental protection (sect. 22); Operation, maintenance and management (sects.