Manning named in NLCB lawsuit

A HIGH Court Judge yesterday questioned why it was necessary for Prime Minister Patrick Manning to write the Statutory Services Commission (SASC) in which he (Manning) objected to the SASC appointing Maha Sabha executive member Devant Maharaj as acting deputy director of the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB).

“Why did the Honourable Prime Minister write to the SASC,” Madame Justice Amrika Tiwary-Reddy asked in the Second Civil Court, San Fernando. The judge raised the issue yesterday during hearing of a judicial review application filed by Maharaj against the decision not to give him the job, although the commission appointed him. The acting deputy position became vacant and Maharaj was one of two persons interviewed by the commission on March 25. By letter dated June 12, 2003, the commission informed NLCB chairman Louis Lee Singh, that Maharaj “at present time, is preferred for the now available acting appointment.”

According to proceedings filed in the case by attorney Anand Ramlogan, the commission’s chairman Louis Bryan wrote to Manning. By letter dated June 10, 2003, Byran informed the Prime Minister that the commission was considering Maharaj’s appointment. Byran also informed Manning that Maharaj satisfied the minimum requirements and training for the post, but went on in his letter to ask the Prime Minister: “The commission proposes to approve the acting appointment but first wishes to know whether you have any objection to the proposal.”

Ramlogan, representing Maharaj, referred Madame Justice Tiwary-Reddy to Manning’s reply to Byran letter dated June 21, 2003. Signed by Manning, it stated in part: “Dear Mr Byran, I shall like to inform you that I am unable to agree to the acting appointment of Mr Devant Maharaj, marketing and public relations office, as deputy director of the National Lotteries Control Board.” April 5 was fixed as the date for Manning and the commission to respond to the lawsuit if they so wish.