Debate on a bill that would remove limits on several taxpayer-funded benefits for former presidents was deferred yesterday to the next regular sitting of the National Assembly. The government gave no reason for the postponement.
When Speaker Manzoor Nadir called the item on Wednesday, Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance Dr Ashni Singh asked that debate on the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill 2026 be deferred to the next regular sitting. The government gave no reason for the postponement. Bill No. 10 of 2026 was published in the Official Gazette on June 4 and introduced by Singh the following day.
The bill would repeal the 2015 law passed by the APNU+AFC administration and largely restore the benefits provided under a 2009 law enacted during Bharrat Jagdeo’s presidency. It would provide former presidents with lifetime benefits including payment of residential utility bills, household and support staff, medical care for themselves and their dependants, full-time security and state-maintained vehicles. It would also restore tax exemption status equivalent to that of a sitting president.
The 2015 law caps payments for water, electricity and telephone services at $25,000 each per month and sets an annual limit of $200,000 on medical benefits. It also limits former presidents to two state-maintained vehicles and sets ceilings on staffing and security. The proposed legislation would remove those limits and drop the provision under which former presidents lose the benefits if they engage in business, trade or paid employment.
The bill’s explanatory memorandum says the lifetime benefits are justified by the services rendered by former presidents and the dignity of the office. Christopher Ram told Kiskadee Watch in June that restoring uncapped benefits alongside the existing presidential pension raised questions about the government’s priorities at a time when workers were contending with the cost of living.
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