PNM accuses PP gov't of reneging on pension promise

Opposition MP Dr Amery Browne on Friday accused the People's Partnership Government of breaking its promise to deliver a $3,000 pension to every citizen of Trinidad and Tobago 60 years and over.

Browne was speaking in the debate on the Senior Citizens' Grant (Amendment) Bill 2010 in the House of Representatives. He called it a betrayal.

Using the coalition's own documents, including the People's Partnership manifesto, Browne stated that the governing coalition promised "every single person in this country who is 60 years and over, regardless of income, would receive a pension of $3,000".

He quoted Page 41 of the manifesto which stated the People's Partnership Government would "remove all restrictions and qualifications for people to receive an old-age pension and, thus, every citizen will automatically receive a State-funded old-age pension upon attainment of pensionable age".

Browne said, "I accuse this Government of deceiving the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. I accuse this Government of breaking its word to senior citizens, age 60 and over.

"Mr Speaker, I accuse the honourable Prime Minister of not being forthright in continuing to deny as the days go by," he said.

He also stated that the government is breaking other promises made during then election. What is worse, he said, is that the government is denying that it made some of the promises.