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FM
Former Member

Granger vows to reduce “unfair” presidential pension package

May 26, 2015 | By | Filed Under News 
 

–  Says “I will be the beneficiary of a fair bill”  

 

By Abena Rockcliffe While Guyana has grown accustomed to politicians who ‘talk the talk’ it seems like President David Arthur

President David Granger

President David Granger

 

Granger will ‘walk the walk’ as he vowed to ensure that he enjoys a “fair” pension package whenever he demits office. Yesterday, Granger told members of the media core that he will ensure he assents to a bill that will repeal the current one which offers unlimited benefits to former Presidents of Guyana. Such a bill had already made its way through the National Assembly during the Tenth Parliament, but the then President, Donald Ramotar did not assent to it, virtually crippling the piece of legislation. But Granger says he will not make such a move. The Head-of-State said, “I will cut the benefits to which I am entitled… we introduced the bill (the one that was not assented to) because we felt that the old Bill was unfair…I will be the beneficiary for a fair bill.” Back in 2013, the National Assembly passed a Bill to slash benefits to former Presidents. For Granger to assent to it, the Bill will have to go through the very process it went through in the Tenth Parliament when the Eleventh Parliament convenes. In 2013, PPP parliamentarians voted against the Bill arguing that it strips former Presidents of their dignity, and that it was a vindictive act targeted at former President Bharrat Jagdeo. Jagdeo was the first to benefit from the handsome retirement package. Currently, the pension of a former president adds up to $1.2 million per month. But the bill of 2013 did

President, Carl Greenidge

President, Carl Greenidge

not want to change this. That Bill, which was piloted by Carl Greenidge, was designed to deal with benefits additional to the pension, or, the “perks”. Once the Bill to repeal the existing Bill is passed, all future payments to all beneficiaries including Jagdeo and Ramotar will be affected. Greenidge’s bill intended to repeal a 2009 Act which gives former presidents like Bharrat Jagdeo unlimited staff and resources. For example, the 2009 law only says former presidents are entitled to vehicles and staff, without specifying a number.  Greenidge’s Bill intended to make the benefits specific. Greenidge said that the Bill was premised on “social justice.” He said the bill was intended to correct “lawlessness and abuse of power.” Greenidge piloted the Bill and saw it through its eventual passage in the House. Greenidge said that the quantum of the pension is exceptionally generous, and would not have required supplementary benefits, but he said that since the benefits are already on the books, the opposition merely wanted to streamline these. He said that the 2009 law was badly drafted since it committed unlimited and uncapped facilities and services to former presidents. Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo who back then sat on the opposition benches placed it in this context – “You cannot live in a donkey cart economy and want to live a life driving a Mercedes or a Cadillac.”

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“I will cut the benefits to which I am entitled… we introduced the bill (the one that was not assented to) because we felt that the old Bill was unfair…I will be the beneficiary for a fair bill.”

FM

When I reflect back on this piece of legislation by the corrupt PPP/C  to make Plug a Batty a king, then I realized how crooked and thiefing the PPP/C were,  at a time when Pensioner and the old and the disabled, could have hardly afford to buy bread, but there was nothing left to pay for the medication and pay the doctor's bill.

 

You call that fu cking thiefing by those crooks.

 

FM
Last edited by Former Member
Originally Posted by Mr.T:

I don't mind the Cadillac or Mercedes. But is the Bentley and them sort of cars that is out of place in a donkey cart economy.

You should post a picture of your Bentley.

Mitwah
Originally Posted by asj:

When I reflect back on this piece of legislation by the corrupt PPP/C  to make Plug a Batty a king, then I realized how crooked and thiefing the PPP/C were,  at a time when Pensioner and the old and the disabled, could have hardly afford to buy bread, but there was nothing left to pay for the medication and pay the doctor's bill.

 

You call that fu cking thiefing by those crooks.

 

Wow, Pluggy batty, you and Mitwah members of the same "boys" club?

 

Anyway, it good the new admin seeks to rein in the excesses of the former.  Any ruler deserves a comfortable retirement but within the boundaries of reason and in the context of Guyana's reality.

FM
Originally Posted by baseman:
Originally Posted by asj:

When I reflect back on this piece of legislation by the corrupt PPP/C  to make Plug a Batty a king, then I realized how crooked and thiefing the PPP/C were,  at a time when Pensioner and the old and the disabled, could have hardly afford to buy bread, but there was nothing left to pay for the medication and pay the doctor's bill.

 

You call that fu cking thiefing by those crooks.

 

Wow, Pluggy batty, you and Mitwah members of the same "boys" club?

 

Anyway, it good the new admin seeks to rein in the excesses of the former.  Any ruler deserves a comfortable retirement but within the boundaries of reason and in the context of Guyana's reality.

Would Granja be entitled to a military pension also?  

FM

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