Georgetown: The second reading of two important Bills is scheduled for the Fourth Sitting of the National Assembly of the First Session of the 11th Parliament on Thursday, July 9, 2015.
The Constitution Amendment Bill No. 1/2015, first published on June 18, 2015 and read on June 25, 2015, relates to 222 A of the Constitution and seeks to provide financial autonomy to several service commissions, as well as the Chamber of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
The Bill, to be read by Attorney General Basil Williams, also seeks to amend the Third Schedule relating to Article 222 A of the Constitution, to provide financial autonomy to the Judicial Service Commission, the Public Service Commission, the Police Service Commission, the Teaching Service Commission, the Public Service Appellate Tribunal, the Public Procurement Commission, and the Office of the Ombudsman in addition to the aforementioned.
This Bill overall seeks to enhance the functioning of these entities, by guaranteeing and strengthening their administration and control of monies allocated to them to carry out their functions pursuant to the Constitution.
The second Bill, also first published on June 18, 2015 and read on June 25, 2015, seeks to repeal the Former Presidents (Benefits and other Facilities) Act 2009, and in its place, install a regime of benefits and other facilities to be accorded to executive presidents after they demit office.
This Bill, if passed, will slash several benefits for Guyana’s Former Presidents, Samuel Hinds, Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar. The new Bill seeks to put a tight cap on the benefits that the former leaders can enjoy at the expense of the state’s coffers.
Of particular interest is the pension for the Former Presidents. The proposed Bill has not slashed the pension allocation from $1.2M; however, the Bill limits other expenses incurred for utilities such as telephone, water and electricity.
There are numerous annual Reports that will be circulated at Thursday’s sitting. These include the mid-year report of 2014, and those from agencies under the former Natural Resources and Environment sector, several companies such as Guyana National Printers, and National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited, Atlantic hotel Inc., and the National Insurance Scheme.
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