Debate on Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill deferred to next sitting of National Assembly

The Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill which was scheduled to be debated in the National Assembly today, was deferred to the next sitting.

No reason was given for the deferral, but when Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir called for the Bill to be read, it was announced by the Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, that the Bill be deferred to the next sitting.

The Government has faced an avalanche of criticism for the amendments to the Bill, which will see uncapped benefits for Former Presidents.

The Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill was first tabled in the National Assembly back in June.

The Bill’s intention is to remove the caps or restrictions that were brought into law by the 2015 legislation under the APNU+AFC Government.

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 per month for former President Bharrat Jagdeo.

Additionally, the Act stipulates that all benefits and facilities granted be subject to taxation.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall had earlier explained that through those amendments, the former government intended to restrict the benefits received by former Presidents Samuel Hinds, Bharrat Jagdeo, and Donald Ramotar. However, he said the Act had no effect on them since it could not have been applied retroactively.

He explained at the time that the 2015 legislation placed restrictions on the benefits of former Presidents, it was not applied to President David Granger, who is the only former President since the 2015 legislation was passed.

The Attorney General said that the move to repeal the legislation will ensure all surviving former Presidents receive their benefits in full.

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