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Opposition objects to Ministry of Presidency funding SOCU
– claims it goes against AML/CFT Bill 2015
During the process of examining and considering the budget estimates in the National Assembly on
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon
Monday, the opposition party voiced its concerns after it recognised that the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) had been placed under the Ministry of the Presidency for funding purposes.
When questioned by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) parliamentarians, it was admitted by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon that some $40M was budgeted for the agency, but that the situation was a temporary one.
PPP Chief Whip Gail Teixeira blasted this situation. She stated that given its terms of reference, SOCU had no business being listed under the Ministry of the Presidency’s Defence and National Security programme.
Texieira demanded an explanation, saying that it contradicted the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill 2015. Teixeira queried whether this would be rectified.
The opposition also demanded a breakdown of SOCU’s expenses, salaries and employees, but Harmon declined to provide this, based on security reasons. He did concede that he would consult with others on how much information he could provide.
In addition, other line items under the Ministry of the Presidency’s Policy Development and Administration programme that dealt with aspects such as contracted employees and rental of buildings were questioned.
CLIMATE CHANGE CONSULTATIONS
After inquiries were made about a sum that was budgeted for 2016 under line item ‘other expenses,’ ‘other’,
PPP MP, Irfaan Ali
Harmon revealed that this sum was budgeted for Climate Change consultations with embattled climate scientist Dr. Rajendra K. Pachauri.
PPP MP Irfaan Ali demanded that more details be provided on the increase for the Climate Change consultations,
“These consultations are something that were (assented) to by the previous administration, so we will continue with it,” Harmon said. “The head of that institute, Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, wrote his Excellency the President on 29 July, 2015, indicating a willingness to continue to work with the Government.”
“And notwithstanding that, we have basically said we would engage this sum of money that was actually budgeted for in the previous administration, and this is basically for the consultation to be done.”
As Ali expressed his dissatisfaction with Harmon’s answer, Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman, rose to the defence of his colleague. Trotman accused Ali of attributing improper motives to Harmon, and called on Ali to formulate his questions better.
Dr. Pachauri is under a cloud, after reports that Indian police are expected to institute charges against him. Pachauri is the current Chairman of the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation’s Board of Trustees.
In February 2012, former President Bharrat Jagdeo received an honorary Doctorate of Philosophy from Dr. Pachauri, who acted in his capacity as Chancellor of TERI University.
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