Pensioner sues Social Development Minister

Sahadeo, 68,from Bank Village in Caripichaima, claims he has been given a run around by the Local Board of the Ministry and the Social Welfare office who has continuously refused to grant his old age pension despite the fact that he has satisfied all the legal requirements.

He has appealed to the Minister under the Senior Citizens’ Pension Act Chapter 32:02 after he claimed he was not given any clear reasons as to why his application for old age pension is constantly being rejected.

To date the Minister has not responded or adjudicated on his appeal and Sahadeo sought the court’s intervention by filing a judicial review application through his attorneys Kent Samlal and Kavita Sarran of Freedom Law Chambers .

Sahadeo is seeking a declaration that the Minister breached her statutory duty under Section 15 of the Judicial Review Act Chapter 7:08 by failing to deal with his appeal within a reasonable time.

He is asking the court to direct the Minister to deal with his appeal within seven (7) days, he is also seeking a declaration that he is entitled to his old age pension and he was a victim of unfair treatment.

The matter has been fixed for hearing on the October 7 at the San Fernando Supreme Court.