Ramsammy dismiss ‘Because we care’ criticisms as ‘foolish’

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Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, Education Minister, Priya Manickchand and Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy arrive at the National Park to witness the distribution of the Government’s ‘Because We Care” education grant. [GINA's Photo]

 

By Fareeza Haniff

Parents sign to receive the Education Grant. [GINA Photo]
Parents sign to receive the Education Grant. [GINA Photo]
[www.inewsguyana.com] – Parliamentarian and Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy did not take too kindly to criticisms that government’s $10,000 cash grant ‘Because we care’ initiative is a political gimmick.

He told host of the radio programme ‘Hard Talk’ aired on 90.1 Love FM, Chris Chapwanya that the perception is “totally misplaced.”

“It’s foolish because last October, exactly a year ago, when we were discussing this and putting it into the budget, none of us had any inkling of a No Confidence Motion or any election. For them [politicians] to turn around and ingeniously try to say that this is about election, I think the people need to know the truth that this thing was in the budget long before any election,” Dr Ramsammy said.

The education grant attracted media blitz since its launch, with the erection of billboards, giving the impression that government is using the platform to campaign for elections.

The initiative has also seen President Donald Ramotar and several government ministers visiting various regions to distribute the money.

Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, Education Minister, Priya Manickchand and Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy arrive at the National Park to witness the distribution of the Government’s ‘Because We Care” education grant. [GINA's Photo]
Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, Education Minister, Priya Manickchand and Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy arrive at the National Park to witness the distribution of the Government’s ‘Because We Care” education grant. [GINA Photo]
However, Dr Ramsammy defended government’s timing in launching the initiative.

“When we decided it would be distributed in October, it was so that children who start school in September would benefit so there’s a logic to it. It has nothing to do with electioneering. In any case, we don’t know whether we will have elections or not; we [government] are not calling elections. Whoever is calling elections, well that’s their problem,” Dr Ramsammy explained.

Thus far, more than $600 million in vouchers were handed over to parents and guardians since its launch.

Distribution is slated to end on November 21, and should cover the entire country. The $10,000 voucher can be encashed at Western Union outlets with recipients in riverain and hinterland locations receiving cash.

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6 COMMENTS

  1. u go into the polling station on election day to see who they voting for?
    guyanese already vote for change long now..be reminded it was 92.
    what did ppp give them at that time?
    except for berry berry what did your founding father king ruler fat boi Bunum give yall when yall used to win?

  2. Guyanese should take the GY$10,000, which is their money, anyway, then vote for a change…of government!

  3. PNCITES were ungrateful when they went to watch Destra at PPP/C concert!
    Talking of boring a plate you eat pon.
    Linden will always vote PNC not matter if their ghetto becomes a super ghetto.

  4. josh..why u think people would vote a certain way because they were given something?
    and Josh even if they they get something to swing or make them vote in favor of PPP….
    tell me how your PNC used to win elections in Guyana..
    tell me what your PNC give them so 75% of them vote for your fat very fat king ruler Bunum..
    tell me what your PNC give them so 80% of them vote for Deadman Height…
    I will tell you what your PNC give Guyanese..
    PNC give yall berry berry –white yaaz mouths..runny twisted mouths so every time yall mouth open crap falls out..stenchy crap to boot..

  5. hmmm i think this is an election gimmick to get voters why this haven’t been done yearly on the international scene Guyana Government doesn’t look good i hope Guyanese pll registering all of this and would act smart…… some ppl need to be educated on what it is to cast their votes and how valuable it is… and what risk they can face with their choices. cause alot of ppl always tell me in Guyana people “surviving”they are not living………………. and for a country with so much and a small population we deserve so much more….. proper drinking water, electricity, in fracture, Jobs cause they saying we dont have unemployment and yet 25,0000 Guyanese living in trinadad illegal alone so what that tellls Guyanese ppl deserve alot more living amenities cause we only have the average 80 years to survive and the sad thing with this Government and corruption some of us will never really know what it is to live so we have to see betterment even if its not 100% if its choosing 20% more betterment we need to vote wise.

  6. The PNC had lines alright.
    They had food lines
    They even had lines to join lines.
    The line here is to collect money for children.
    Jealousy that’s all.
    They full of bull!

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