ANUG criticises PPP for payments to sugar workers, 7% salary increase & cash grants

A New and United Guyana (ANUG) political party has criticised the PPP/C government’s policy of cash transfers, singling out the one-off payment for sugar workers, other cash grants and the seven per cent salary increase.

The government has given assurances that attempts have been made to fairly distribute cash grants to all eligible individuals but ANUG, in a press release, contended that this has not been the case.

In fact, the party accused the government of spending money unwisely on those citizens perceived to be supporters of the government. And ANUG said that the PPP/C has spent large sums of money on “ad hoc and poorly monitored cash handouts” and inadequately monitored and audited contracts.

Furthermore, ANUG opined that the “unilateral” seven per cent salary increase given to public servants, teachers, members of the disciplined services, constitutional officeholders and government pensioners was not enough.

With these concerns and criticisms, the party said it is time for solutions to be formulated so that the dreams of all Guyanese could be achieved.

In November, President Dr, Irfaan Ali defended the seven per cent offer and said public servants are better off under his government than they were under the former APNU+AFC administration.

He also noted that the criticisms, as unfair as they are, were heavy while the government was still working out further relief measures to offer to the population. These include the removal of numerous taxes and the provision of cash transfers.