THE AFC’s call for the removal of 17,000 names from the pension register has now become the focus of attention by those of the ilk of the Christopher Rams of Guyana. In a concerted campaign to discredit the gains of the PPP/C government these persons are advocating a return to the past. What is of issue here Mr. C. Ram is the hated means test not the numbers that you are so concerned about. Ms. Sheila Holder the AFC’s Prime Ministerial candidate, who suggested in Parliament that 17,000 persons be removed, ought to have known that many governments have suffered humiliating defeats in other countries because of the callous ways they have treated the most vulnerable persons in the society and Guyana is no exception.
This is what Dr. Cheddi Jagan advocated at the 18th Congress of the PPP held at Good Hope on the East Coast of Demerara from the 6-8th of September 1974.
“Old persons are especially hard-hit. The callous PNC elite reduces the pensionable age for parliamentarians and ministers from 50 to 40, and increases salaries, but refuses to abolish the means test of $16 per month and to increase pensions of $10 and $12 per month respectively in rural and urban areas. At the same time it has failed, despite promises, to lower the pensionable age from 65 to 60 under the National Insurance Scheme.” (taken from the report of the 18th Congress of the PPP).
In addition, the share in the budget for the people’s welfare declined from 45% in 1964 to 33% in 1974. Mr. Ram and persons of his ilk may remember that in 1964 the PPP was removed from Office.
This clearly shows that the PPP in its first government which lasted some 153 days and won overwhelming support from all sections of the population because of its “people centered programme”.
Yes, Mr. Ram it is the PPP that abolished the hated “means test’ and increased pensions continuously to senior citizens. It should be noted that under the PPP the vulnerable persons continue to benefit from other programmes.
And lest you forget the past, this is what the 2006 Budget provided for old age pensioners- an increase of 75% in old age pensions and public assistance, effective from January 1, 2006. As a result some 33,000 pensioners will each receive $3,500 per month. Although in 2006 this was considered modest it represented nevertheless a substantial improvement from 1992, when only $290 per month was paid and it was subject to a means test as well. What a shame? It was 1992 that the Guyanese people won in the first “free and fair” elections after 28 years of PNC misrule.
The current rate of $7,500 is still a modest sum but with the PPP/C in Government the most vulnerable in society can only expect further improvements as progress and development continues.
So, Mr. Ram it isn’t about numbers, something which you are very well acquainted with and can easily be manipulated to paint different pictures, but the reality remains for those vulnerable sections of the society who is benefitting and continue to benefit from this Government’s social programmes that they do not have to forego their meagre savings or sell their houses to pay for food and medicines like in the past or as is happening in other countries where governments are not responsive or open to the needs and aspirations of its people.