Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner on Tuesday returned an uncashed cheque for $10,000 to the culture ministry that was a grant for his constituency's 2009 Divali celebration.In a letter to minister Marlene Mc Donald dated Nov. 17, Warner said he was returning the money because it was "far from adequate and considered an insult to the Hindu population residing within the Borough of Chaguanas”.
He expressed the same sentiments regarding the government's response to other communities in his constituency, which have a significant Hindu population, "and which are noted for their Divali celebrations both locally and internationally.”
He also noted that a request to the culture ministry for financial assistance for the celebration of the Muslim festival of Eid ul Fitr was not acknowledged.
"This suggests to me that there is indifference by your Ministry to festivals associated with East Indian culture and which is an indictment upon the Government in our multi-racial and multi-religious society," he wrote.
He added, "That being the perception, then I implore you to use your good office to rectify the imbalance and inconsistent approach, as your Ministry is key to providing financial assistance to the many social, cultural and religious groups in Trinidad and Tobago.
“I wish to indicate as well, that I look forward to the time when there is a marked increase or at the very least, equity in the dispatch of financial contributions made by your Ministry to all our festivals," he said.
1 comment:
Anyone know what they spend to celebrate Christmas and Easter by chance?
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