HUMAN Services and Social Security Minister Priya Manickchand said the distribution of old age pension books is progressing well and, up to yesterday, approximately 15,000 books had been delivered. The process began last Tuesday and, this year, there are more centres countrywide to facilitate it, a move to bolster its efficiency.

Ms. Manickchand told the Guyana Chronicle that ministry staffers remain committed to the service of the elderly, evidenced by the fact that they continue to distribute on Wednesday, despite it being a national holiday.
She said all efforts are being made to support old age pensioners, including the shut-ins, to whom officers will be taking the books.
Manickchand admitted that the undertaking will take a longer time but noted that the deadline to ensure service to the shut-in is by January month end.
According to her, the ministry aims to make the system more user-friendly for pensioners, who become eligible for the benefit on attaining the age of 65 years, having lived in Guyana for two years prior to that birthday.
Before 1992, when Dr. Cheddi Jagan became President, applicants had to take a means test to qualify but he decreed that all Guyanese, regardless of their circumstances, can receive the monetary assistance and the number of recipients is now about 44,000, on whom the sum of $300M is expended monthly.
Manickchand said, the ministry is open to suggestions from pensioners to improve the service and, for 2010, on that basis; several innovations have been made, including the provision of refreshments at the distribution locations.
She said the system will be constantly improved and, next year, better can be expected, by the elderly, who have made their contributions to society and assisted, in one way or the other, to develop Guyana.