120-day pledge on target: Dookeran

Finance Minister Winston Dookeran ended his budget presentation Wednesday on a high note in what sounded like a political campaign speech.

He rattled off some of the achievements of the People's partnership government promised in the 32-point, 120-day plan.

1. Deployed police on the streets, on the beat and increased police presence
2. Secured the GATE programme
3. Established the Ministry of The People
4. Increased the Senior Citizens’ Pension to $3,000
5. Developed One Year Ministerial Action Plans
6. Established the Economic Development Board
7. Established Legislative Agenda for Parliament
8. Laid the White Paper on Procurement Legislation in Parliament
9. Established the Children’s Life Fund
10. Formulated Project Plan for completion of Scarborough Hospital
11. Initiated Forensic Audit for Petrotrin, UDeCOTT and UTT
12. Laptops for secondary schools
13. Axed the Property Tax

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said last week the list of pledges has grown to 40 and that fewer than 10 remain to be fulfilled.

The 120 deadline of the appointment of her cabinet is September 26. She is due to speak at the United Nations in New York on that day.

Check the pledges: 32 pledges to fulfil in 120 days