| Ramotar nixes APNU ploy to deny former president’s benefits ...withholds assent, calls move violative of Constitution |  |  |  |
| Written by Gary Eleazar |
| Wednesday, 08 May 2013 00:04 |
HEAD of State Donald Ramotar has officially refused to assent to two of the bills that had been approved in the National Assembly, piloted by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Carl Greenidge.  President Donald Ramotar Ramotar yesterday officially informed Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, of his decision. Trotman, by way of letter, had requested of the president the reasons for his non-approval of the Bills. The legislation that Ramotar refused includes an amendment to the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, as well as changes that had been proposed to the Former President’s (Benefits and other Facilities) Bill. According to President Ramotar, he officially received the amendment to the FMA on Friday last. Ramotar indicated to Speaker Trotman that Greenidge’s attempt to change the schedule of the FMA was done using the wrong format in that such a change cannot be done through an Act of Parliament. He further stated that the bill, as had been presented by Greenidge, violated the Constitution of Guyana in that such a piece of legislation could not even be introduced by an Opposition member. “It can only be introduced into the National Assembly with the consent of Cabinet signified by a minister,” according to Ramotar. On the matter of the amendments to the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill, President Ramotar said that, in his opinion, it is violative of the Constitution, and as such is ‘null void and of no effect.’ He further insisted that inherent in the proposal by Greenidge that had been approved by the combined Opposition, is a taking away of vested rights and a denial of legitimate expectation. The bill as had been proposed by Greenidge, says in part, “If the former president engages in business, trade or paid employment, he shall cease to be entitled to the benefits under the bill.” President Ramotar has since adopted the position that such a proposal is in violation of a former president’s constitutional right to work. Another proposal by Greenidge in that bill that had been approved by the combined Opposition suggests that “if the former president is cited by any court for any criminal offence, he shall cease to be entitled to the benefits.” President Ramotar has since indicated that such a position, “Is in violation of the presumption of innocence which is guaranteed as a fundamental right.” Speaker Trotman, in a request to the president, had stated that a bill once approved in the House shall be returned to the Speaker within 21 days of the date when it was presented to him for assent. |
