Some PNM members of Parliament have defied their leader and accepted hampers from Prime Minister Kamla persad-Bissessar for distribution to their constituents.
Persad-Bissessar made 4,100 ham,per available for the needy, with 100 going to each of the 41 constituencies. MPs were asked to pick up the Christmas gifts, each containing grocery items and valued at about $300, and distribute them to people in their respective constituencies.
However, People's National Movement leader Keith Rowley refused to take the hampers and instructed his MP not to get involved in what he called a government public relations exercise and an abuse of state funds.
His attitude brought rebuke from government ministers who denounced the opposition leader for not considering the plight of the poor and needy at this time of the year.
The Trinidad Express reported Saturday that despite Rowley's rejection of the offer at least four PNM MPs went to Preysal to collect their hampers and several representatives from PNM offices did the same, citing People Minister Glen Ramadharsingh as its source.
That angered Rowley who told the Express the issue will be discussed at the PNM General Council meeting. "The instruction is not to go to Preysal to line up to collect any hampers," he said adding that the government should send the hampers to the PNM constituency offices.
Rowley maintained that the entire hamper-giving exercise was a "PR ploy" and reiterated that State funds should not have been used.
"When taxpayers' money is being spent on buying hampers for Christmas, if we accept that what will Government do for Eid and for Divali and for the Orisha festival?" he asked.
Opposition MP Paula Gopee-Scoon told the Express the controversy should not be created at this time, especially over food. She said Rowley's instructions were given after her representatives were told to collect the hampers.
"I am highly incensed that this is the kind of furore...when people are hungry and welcoming anything they can get on their tables at this time," Gopee-Scoon said.
Persad-Bissessar made 4,100 ham,per available for the needy, with 100 going to each of the 41 constituencies. MPs were asked to pick up the Christmas gifts, each containing grocery items and valued at about $300, and distribute them to people in their respective constituencies.
However, People's National Movement leader Keith Rowley refused to take the hampers and instructed his MP not to get involved in what he called a government public relations exercise and an abuse of state funds.
His attitude brought rebuke from government ministers who denounced the opposition leader for not considering the plight of the poor and needy at this time of the year.
The Trinidad Express reported Saturday that despite Rowley's rejection of the offer at least four PNM MPs went to Preysal to collect their hampers and several representatives from PNM offices did the same, citing People Minister Glen Ramadharsingh as its source.
That angered Rowley who told the Express the issue will be discussed at the PNM General Council meeting. "The instruction is not to go to Preysal to line up to collect any hampers," he said adding that the government should send the hampers to the PNM constituency offices.
Rowley maintained that the entire hamper-giving exercise was a "PR ploy" and reiterated that State funds should not have been used.
"When taxpayers' money is being spent on buying hampers for Christmas, if we accept that what will Government do for Eid and for Divali and for the Orisha festival?" he asked.
Opposition MP Paula Gopee-Scoon told the Express the controversy should not be created at this time, especially over food. She said Rowley's instructions were given after her representatives were told to collect the hampers.
"I am highly incensed that this is the kind of furore...when people are hungry and welcoming anything they can get on their tables at this time," Gopee-Scoon said.
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