‘Use commercial banks’ Dr. Persaud tells old age pensioners

Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud wants senior citizens use
the local banking system to minimise the usual hassle accessing their monthly old age pensions.
Dr Persaud made the observation Monday while supervising distribution of the Government’s
one-off $25,000 cash grant and Old Age Pension books for next year in Demerara/Mahaica
(Region Four).
“I would like to encourage people to use the banking system because that takes away completely
the need to go anywhere. Money is deposited within the first five days of the month, and if you
are on the banking system your voucher money will be deposited as well, so for those people it is
a very simple process,” the minister observed.
She predicted that seniors can will get their pension booklets well in advance beginning this year
and in the foreseeable future.
“For the first time we are giving pensioners their booklet for the following year this early, and
we plan to do this every year so just after mid-year people will be starting to get their booklet so
they are ready for the new year in this year already,” Persaud promised.
Several pensioners were elated at the news of new arrangements announced by the social
services minister.
“I am very grateful to the Government of Guyana, the Human Services for this kind gesture to
these old people who are sitting down here this morning. And I can see from the faces of these
pensioners sitting here how grateful and appreciative they are for this little offering that the
government and the human services is giving to us,” said Florence Pryce.
Romel Sooknanan also lauded the better arrangement.
“It benefits me because I have bills to pay, I don’t work, I am a pensioner and I have a family of
five, my wife and three children and it will help in grocery line, other things. I mean it won’t do
but it going to help me a great lot and I look forward for during the year we can get some more.
We are thankful for the government and the PPP/C.”

Rocky Singh shared similar sentiments: “Well, I feel good because half a loaf of bread is better
than none, and I am a pensioner and it is going to take me a long way. It will benefit in a lot of
ways because of the COVID. Now I will get to do certain things and I will know how to spend it
and take my time and know how to use it.”
Annette Kendell in adding her voice said, “I feel good because the high cost of living right now
with the COVID it will come in good to pay bills, buy food stuff, right now I am trying to pay
off for my land so that is what it going towards.”
The one-off payment also came in very handy, said several pensioners including Cealia Kellman-
Thomas.
“I feel happy. That’s very nice at least we will know how to gather up, put together and do our
little stuff what we have to do and to buy because we are pensioners, we are not working.”
Minister Persaud noted several measures are being taken to improve the payments of pensions to
the elderly. Among these are home deliveries for shut-ins which she wants pensioners to take full
advantage of.
She said that the $25,000 one-off grant initiative is the brain child of President, Dr. Mohamed
Irfaan Ali noting that 65,000 old age pensioners benefitted.
President Ali earlier this year, stated that the initiative will place more than $1.6 billion in the
hands of pensioners. He had said the grant is also extended to persons living with disabilities and
public assistance recipients.
Distribution for public assistance will commence in November, and pensioners are also
advised to cash their grant before November, 30.