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FM
Former Member
No such thing as First Lady’s pension – Dr. Gopaul

Written by
Wednesday, 16 November 2011 02:59
Soouce - Guyana Chronicle

PERMANENT Secretary at the Office of the President, Dr. Nanda Gopaul, has deemed as a misconception statements made by Alliance for Change (AFC) Presidential Candidate Khemraj Ramjattan about ‘First lady Pension entitlement’.

Speaking to members of the media during an interview on Monday at the Office of the President, Dr. Gopaul rehashed the letter he sent to the editor of the Kaieteur News published on November 13 in response to an article titled Varshnie Singh entitled to ‘First Lady’s pension’.

“Mr. Ramjattan got it all wrong…it is not for a wife of a President or First Lady… had he read the Act, he would have seen that a widow’s pension is paid only to that widow on the death of her husband,” Dr. Gopaul said.

Dr. Gopaul also presented copies of the correspondence sent to Kaieteur News detailing the size of the pension given to former Presidents Arthur Chung, Desmond Hoyte and their widows, and Mrs. Janet Jagan.

Copies of the President Hoyte Pension Act 2009 which makes provision for enhanced pension to the widow of the late President from the date when the widow’s pension was first payable were also presented.

“Widow’s pension is payable, and it is calculated at 50 percent of the president’s pension,” Dr. Gopaul said.

The last pension paid to former President Chung was in June 2008. He received $1,085,427 and his widow received $542,714 up to August 2009. Up to November 2010, Mrs. Hoyte received $543,543.

Dr. Gopaul explained that other benefits and entitlements given to the former first ladies included driver, medical and utility expenses and duty free concessions.

He recalled that the President Hoyte Pension Act No. 8 of 2009 was passed with the full knowledge of the Opposition, who, he said, were cognizant of the sum paid to former presidents and that the constitution was amended to make pension benefits a right.

“There wasn’t any hue and cry then. I can’t understand why there is a hue and cry if another president demits office and will benefit from this Act,” Dr Gopaul said.

Reference was made to provisions in the old Pension Act under Chapter 27:11, where a Head of State got a pension that was 16 percent higher than the Chancellor of the Judiciary, and the new act where the salary of the Chancellor of the Judiciary would determine that of the President and the Attorney General.
The size of President Jagdeo’s pension has only recently been one of the high attention areas for the AFC.

Dr. Gopaul commented that the Opposition is seeking to create the impression that the Act was designed for President Jagdeo and not the holder of the position of President of Guyana.

“The Act was made applicable to all the former persons who held the position. President Hoyte, President Arthur Chung, and President Janet Jagan,” Dr Gopaul said.

Dr. Gopaul said that it is in bad taste to express concern over the benefits for someone who has given dedicated service to Guyana, and unacceptable for someone hoping to be president to act like a ‘boxer’ or ‘street fighter.’ (GINA)

Replies sorted oldest to newest

quote:

“Mr. Ramjattan got it all wrong…it is not for a wife of a President or First Lady… had he read the Act, he would have seen that a widow’s pension is paid only to that widow on the death of her husband,” Dr. Gopaul said.

FM
It is bad taste and criminal to bilk the state. It is neglect of officials and citizenry not to question the strategy of corrupt officials who enrich themselves by creating privileged class for state officials. Serving the nation is not an enrichment scheme. It is a duty. If they do not care for the burden others are willing to take the load off their hands and do it fairly and transparently.

If there is no provision for a first lady when she served in that capacity and is entitled to it after her husband dies then one can logically conclude the living husband is presumed to be providing for her while he lived and they are still together. Consequently, if divorced the entitlement does not cease but persists. As long as the husband receives monies for his service the living divorced spouse is entitled to some percentage of his income.
FM
quote:

Dr. Gopaul commented that the Opposition is seeking to create the impression that the Act was designed for President Jagdeo and not the holder of the position of President of Guyana.


Presdential pensions in Guyana, is similar to other countries like the US-of-A, Canada, Great Britain, France, etc.
FM
quote:
Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:
quote:

Dr. Gopaul commented that the Opposition is seeking to create the impression that the Act was designed for President Jagdeo and not the holder of the position of President of Guyana.


Presdential pensions in Guyana, is similar to other countries like the US-of-A, Canada, Great Britain, France, etc.
Quit making idiotic analogies. How the hell are they similar?
FM
quote:
Originally posted by D2:
quote:
Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:
quote:

Dr. Gopaul commented that the Opposition is seeking to create the impression that the Act was designed for President Jagdeo and not the holder of the position of President of Guyana.


Presdential pensions in Guyana, is similar to other countries like the US-of-A, Canada, Great Britain, France, etc.


Quit making idiotic analogies. How the hell are they similar?


Spend quality time to educate yourself on the matter.
FM
quote:
Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:
quote:
Originally posted by D2:
quote:
Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:
quote:

Dr. Gopaul commented that the Opposition is seeking to create the impression that the Act was designed for President Jagdeo and not the holder of the position of President of Guyana.


Presdential pensions in Guyana, is similar to other countries like the US-of-A, Canada, Great Britain, France, etc.


Quit making idiotic analogies. How the hell are they similar?


Spend quality time to educate yourself on the matter.


D_G, for an old guy, you are a real ass. If you have any kids, I wonder how they turn out.
Tola
quote:
Originally posted by Tola:
quote:
Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:
quote:
Originally posted by D2:
quote:
Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:
quote:

Dr. Gopaul commented that the Opposition is seeking to create the impression that the Act was designed for President Jagdeo and not the holder of the position of President of Guyana.


Presdential pensions in Guyana, is similar to other countries like the US-of-A, Canada, Great Britain, France, etc.


Quit making idiotic analogies. How the hell are they similar?


Spend quality time to educate yourself on the matter.


D_G, for an old guy, you are a real ass. If you have any kids, I wonder how they turn out.
He is just an old presumptive ass. They do not come in more perplexing state as ignorance in life compounds with senility.

Why in the world do we care what others do for their first ladies if in the words of the Sultan we are an autonomous state? If first lady received pensions at the death of their spouse then living divorced first ladies ought to be receiving a portion of their husbands pension as support for their services.
FM
quote:
Originally posted by D2:

If first lady received pensions at the death of their spouse then living divorced first ladies ought to be receiving a portion of their husbands pension as support for their services.


The gist of the matter; known by the President and his ex-wife; on the separation agreement.
FM
quote:
Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:
quote:
Originally posted by D2:

If first lady received pensions at the death of their spouse then living divorced first ladies ought to be receiving a portion of their husbands pension as support for their services.


The gist of the matter; known by the President and his ex-wife; on the separation agreement.
There should be no private agreement on the matter. It should be explicit as all matters involving monies paid out by the state. It avoids coercion or disputes. Varshnie did say the president used the immunity shield to hide from his responsibility.
FM
quote:
Originally posted by D2:

There should be no private agreement on the matter.

It should be explicit as all matters involving monies paid out by the state.

It avoids coercion or disputes.


Your personal views on this specific issue.
FM
quote:
Originally posted by D2:

Varshnie did say the president used the immunity shield to hide from his responsibility.


Until verified, all issues are basically, he said, she said, they said, etc.
FM
quote:
Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:
quote:
Originally posted by D2:

Varshnie did say the president used the immunity shield to hide from his responsibility.


Until verified, all issues are basically, he said, she said, they said, etc.
And how does that get into the story if our methodology is to avoid that? After all it is state funds being dispensed so all spending are by necessity to be transparent.
FM
quote:
Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:
quote:
Originally posted by D2:

There should be no private agreement on the matter.

It should be explicit as all matters involving monies paid out by the state.

It avoids coercion or disputes.


Your personal views on this specific issue.
They are dummy, informed views, a member of the demos speaking of his aspirations for his polis.
FM
quote:
Originally posted by D2:
quote:
Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:
quote:
Originally posted by D2:

Varshnie did say the president used the immunity shield to hide from his responsibility.


Until verified, all issues are basically, he said, she said, they said, etc.


And how does that get into the story if our methodology is to avoid that?

After all it is state funds being dispensed so all spending are by necessity to be transparent.


It is shown clearly how the funds are dispursed for a past President, and on his/her death, to the spouse.
FM
quote:
Originally posted by D2:
quote:
Originally posted by Tola:
quote:
Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:

Spend quality time to educate yourself on the matter.


D_G, for an old guy, you are a real ass. If you have any kids, I wonder how they turn out.


He is just an old presumptive ass.

They do not come in more perplexing state as ignorance in life compounds with senility.


Quite a description of yourself.
FM
[/QUOTE]
Spend quality time to educate yourself on the matter.[/QUOTE]

Before you try to sell a product you should learn about what you are selling.....
Dr. Gopaul is an alcoholic that loves to prositute, he has 5 quality houses in Guyana at various places: Happy Acres (with pool), LBI, Mon Repos etc. This guy has made the best of his tenure at OP, so please don't try to create an impression that Gopaul is reliable.
FM

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