The Irfaan Ali Administration is moving to repeal the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act, which was passed by the National Assembly in 2015, when the APNU and AFC held a majority.
According to the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, the intention is to remove the caps or restrictions that were brought into law by that legislation.
During his weekly programme – Issues In the News – on Tuesday, the Attorney General said the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill will be tabled in the National Assembly on Friday, when it convenes for its Fourth Sitting at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.
Justifying the move, Mr. Nandlall explained that in 2009, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration successfully piloted the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill through the National Assembly despite push backs from the then Opposition.
“What the intention was then was simply to codified into law and make certain what benefits a former president ought to receive upon retirement. And in drafting that what we did was simply capture what they were entitled to, and what former presidents were being paid up to that time including Arthur Chung, and Mr. Desmond Hoyte but it was never, in writing. What we sought to do in 2010 was to put it in writing,” the Attorney General explained.
However, when the APNU+AFC Administration took Office in 2015, it used its majority in the House to amend the legislation, and in effect placed a cap on those benefits. It had described the 2009 Act as “vulgar.”
Under the 2015 Act the allowances allocated for water, telephone and electricity were capped at $75,000 per month compared to the uncapped amount that averaged approximately $370,000 a month for former President Bharrat Jagdeo. Additionally, the Act stipulates that all benefits and facilities granted are subject to taxation.
According to the Attorney General, through those amendments, the David Granger Administration intended to restrict the benefits received by the former Presidents – Samuel Hinds, Bharrat Jagdeo, and Donald Ramotar. However, the Act had no effect on them, since it could not have been applied retroactively.
He said though the 2015 legislation placed restrictions on the benefits of former Presidents, it was not applied to President David Granger – the only former President since the 2015 legislation was passed.
The Attorney General said the move to repeal the legislation, will ensure all surviving former Presidents receive their benefits in full.
“So, to bring normalcy to the situation, we have decided to repeal the 2015 or 2016 APNU+AFC Law and to bring back into force the 2010 Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill. We made minor changes because we believe…that’s the standard benefits all presidents should receive. President Granger received it, President Hoyte received it, President Arthur Chung received it, President Ramotar is receiving it, President Jagdeo is receiving it, President Sam Hinds is receiving it. Why should future presidents not get the same package?” the Attorney General said.
The Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill will be presented to the House along with a number of other Bills that would be read for the first time, before being debated by the 65 Member National Assembly.
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