The Transport Minister, who first raised the issue of the scholarships before he was in government, asked the question in response to a statement from the former culture minister Joan Yuille-Williams, who was responsible for the grants.
Yuille-Williams issued a statement Saturday in which she defended the program and also threatened legal action. And she reiterated that the scholarships were for the "needy".
In 2009, Maharaj wrote to the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) claiming discrimination in the award of the scholarships.
The EOC found "an inference of discrimination" noting that the government gave financial assistance to only seven per cent of Indo Trinidadians. Yuille-Williams said there was no racial bias in the programme.
However, Maharaj is not convinced but believes that the issue is bigger than just one of discrimination. In a statement Sunday he said the EOC report has provoked debate on the lack of transparency in the programme and violation of rules.
He pointed out that while Yuille-Williams spoke of the awards as being for the needy former PNM Senator Senator Laurel Lezama received $500,000 to pursue a law degree in London. Maharaj said Lezama, who is the daughter-in-law of Louis Lee Sing, did not graduate.
Another former PNM Senator, Rain Newel-Lewis, received $200,000 for graduate studies in International Business in Economics in London.
Maharaj noted that senators are well compensated and are not classified as "needy". He said non-cabinet members who serve in the Senate receive a salary of $14,500 so they are not needy.
In 2009, Maharaj wrote to the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) claiming discrimination in the award of the scholarships.
The EOC found "an inference of discrimination" noting that the government gave financial assistance to only seven per cent of Indo Trinidadians. Yuille-Williams said there was no racial bias in the programme.
However, Maharaj is not convinced but believes that the issue is bigger than just one of discrimination. In a statement Sunday he said the EOC report has provoked debate on the lack of transparency in the programme and violation of rules.
He pointed out that while Yuille-Williams spoke of the awards as being for the needy former PNM Senator Senator Laurel Lezama received $500,000 to pursue a law degree in London. Maharaj said Lezama, who is the daughter-in-law of Louis Lee Sing, did not graduate.
Another former PNM Senator, Rain Newel-Lewis, received $200,000 for graduate studies in International Business in Economics in London.
Maharaj noted that senators are well compensated and are not classified as "needy". He said non-cabinet members who serve in the Senate receive a salary of $14,500 so they are not needy.
The minister also asked why PNM General Council member and former senator Joel Primus received a grant of $15,000 for a diploma in general management and another $5,000 for a BSc in computer and information studies.
Maharaj had another name as well - Paige De Leon, who is "gainfully employed" as a public relations officer at the Prime Minister's office. He said she received $173,640 to pursue a Master's degree.
Maharaj had another name as well - Paige De Leon, who is "gainfully employed" as a public relations officer at the Prime Minister's office. He said she received $173,640 to pursue a Master's degree.
Maharaj said, "It seems as if this was the overriding motto for the disbursement of these funds. This was a blatant attempt to hide the facts from the glare of public scrutiny. He said to focus on the racial imbalance alone would trivialise the other fundamental and important points that arise.
Maharaj said one critical issues is whether "undue preferential treatment" was shown to a political interest group by the former Government contrary to the Integrity in Public Life Act.
No comments:
Post a Comment