Ramesh: PNM frustrating Integrity Act

FORMER Attorney General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj has accused the ruling PNM of trying “to frustrate” the intentions of the Integrity in Public Life Act 2000, by narrowing the net of persons required to declare their assets to the Integrity Commission.

On Tuesday, the Senate approved the Prescribed Forms and Regulations to effect the Integrity Act and a parliamentary joint select committee report recommending the Act be amended for declarations to be made retroactively to the year 1999. Addressing yesterday’s post-Cabinet news conference at Whitehall, Prime Minister Patrick Manning said Government would adhere to decisions taken in the Senate but hinted that the net of persons required to publicly declare their assets would be narrowed. “Any attempt to narrow the net will lead to a reduction in the openness and transparency the public would get in terms of spending,” Maharaj declared. The former AG described Manning’s statements as “a complete turnaround” and accused the PNM of trying “to frustrate” the intentions of the Integrity Act. He recalled that when the former government brought the Integrity in Public Life Act 2000 to Parliament, it was hailed by the then Opposition PNM.

Maharaj said Manning, Tertiary Education Minister Colm Imbert and Housing Minister Dr Keith Rowley all supported “a wider net” regarding the declarations of assets back then and their statements are recorded in the Hansard. Both Maharaj and Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday have claimed that the reason why Government has delayed parliamentary approval of the integrity forms is because of alleged corruption under the PNM since it returned to Government in December 2001. Government Ministers Franklyn Khan, Danny Montano and Diane Seukeran previously said all PNM members and their spouses would willingly file declarations with the Commission as they have nothing to hide.