By Jomo Paul
[www.inewsguyana.com] – Two former Presidents – Donald Ramotar and Bharrat Jagdeo – have sued the State for passing a Bill in the National Assembly, which caps their benefits.
The APNU+AFC administration had moved to Parliament to cap the benefits of former presidents at a fixed amount whereas those benefits were uncapped and amounted to millions annually.
Attorney General, Basil Williams made the revelation at a press conference on Monday, December 077 where he indicated that the lawsuit was filed on November 11.
In the lawsuit, the two former Presidents state that the new law would not affect them since their earnings had been accrued before the passage of the Bill.
“Both PPP/C former presidents Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar have caused applications to be filed in the High Court seeking in effect to receive the sums o money in benefits and other facilities,” said Williams.
The Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill 2015 was on Thursday, July 09 passed by the APNU+AFC Parliamentarians in the absence of the People’s Progressive Party Opposition.
The Bill slashes several benefits for Guyana’s former Presidents – Samuel Hinds, Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar.
The Bill limits expenses incurred for utilities such as telephone, water and electricity to $25,000 each month. It also states that “services of personal and household staff, including a gardener, provided that the total number of such staff shall not exceed three persons, including any member of the staff who may be on earned vacation or sick leave.”
Further, the Former Presidents are subject to a financial limit of $200,000 per annum to cover medical expenses; however the reimbursement is only given if the said medical treatment is not available at local public health institutions.
Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who presented the Bill to the National Assembly stated that “we have a situation where a former President is enjoying a tax free pension equivalent to 7/8 of the salary of a sitting President.”
He pointed out that although the United States has a better economy than Guyana, the pension pales in comparison to the pension and benefits to the Former Presidents of the US.
He noted too that the Former President of the USA is paid a taxable pension; while under the previous legislation, the pension was not taxable.
Bobby is brainless can’t think for himself let him be ppl everyone is eager to see these criminals behind bars they will be there sometimes you can’t show your hand early you have to secure the perimeters making it air tight then move in on the clowns for they have no hole to crawl through just hold your peace for a little while longer soon you will see the fruits of this hard labor.
Emile, dont you think our learned AG will be able to succeed in defending this case? I understand the Law cannot be retroactive but certainly when he drafted the bill he presented to the parliament to cap the benefits, our AG would have been familiar with the Law and its due process. I think this case brought by the two desperadoes is pushing the limit of the legal system that appertains. Many bloggers are calling for criminal charges against Jagdeo and Ramotar and there could be sympathy for their call. However, why is there no charge or even an arrest and caution done to the PPP/C ministers who all and sundry are accusing of being corrupt? This lack of prosecution does seem like taking the urine out of the struggling Guyanese who blindly followed the call of the APNU/AFC for support to change the previous mob. Somehow, frustration will lead to desparartion and if that happens Granger and his merry band of retired soldiers better be ready for an uproar.
EMILE , WHY DON’T YOU FILE PRIVATE CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST THEM ? THE LAW ALLOWS IT .
DAN, YOU TALKING A LOT OF CRAP .PERIOD .
Those two wortless bastards looking to sue the Elected Govt,they are dispicable and shameless with all they have done to that country and only a few wks ago they were prattling like big BOYS that they do not want the monies from Parliament.lol lol lol.They are back pedalling all the time and this is because the almighty god is putting those two devils to shame.Let them go bagged their faces or buried themselves,the world at large and the Guyanese populace are tired of their stupidity.A drowning rat clutches at a straw.mOVE ON U TWO PUBLIC NUISANCE AND LEAVE THE ELECTED GOVT TO DO THEIR JOB EFFECTIVELY AS THEy ARE.Guyanese had enough of your racism,corruption,nepotism and blatant disrespect for law and order.
Seriously aren’t you guys getting enough from a bankrupt country. U all should be ashamed of you self.
SERIOUSLY~ We want to see these men behind bars ASAP!
Burnham had say when you get my birthday is coming up and i need something from you he get a blank cheque in his name find out about these people who give him some people still alive and some might dead also he kill guyana who in the P.N.C had swiss bank book
Who could blame Jagdeo and Ramotar for suing, given that the coalition government is not serious about pursuing elements of the last regime for all the uncovered theft and misappropriations? The longer the coalition takes to act the more empowered the corrupt cabal feels and the more vindicated they appear in the eyes of gullible supporters.