Latest update March 13th, 2026 11:54 AM
‘$25,000 a month keeps people poor’ – Mahipaul demands forensic audit of public assistance programme
(Kaieteur News) – Member of Parliament for A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Ganesh Mahipaul, has called for a forensic audit of the Public Assistance Programme, warning that the system is poorly managed and may be benefiting persons who do not qualify, while many vulnerable Guyanese remain excluded.
Mahipaul made the call during his presentation at the National Budget Debate held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. He urged that a monitoring system be implemented to ensure that only eligible persons receive public assistance.
APNU MP, Ganesh Mahipaul
During his presentation, Mahipaul argued that the amount allocated for public assistance is insufficient for those who depend on it. “Mr. Speaker, public assistance stands at $25,000 per month, Mr. Speaker, this is less than $900 per day, not enough for food, rent, transport, utility and health care combined. This does not lift people out of hardship, it merely keeps them in poverty. A budget that puts people first, but have aimed to reduce poverty, not administratively manage it,” he said.
He further contended that the programme is not being properly managed, claiming that some individuals who are not considered vulnerable are benefiting, while others who are eligible are excluded. As a result, he called for a forensic audit of the programme. “The public assistance program requires a forensic audit to weed out the friends, families and favorites who are barefacedly receiving it without satisfying the criteria and are in the financial position to provide for themselves,” he said.
Additionally, Mahipaul called for the expansion of public assistance benefits, urging the government to provide water and electricity subsidies to those who legitimately qualify. “In cases such as pensioners, the government must make clear, objective criteria for people to qualify for public assistance. Homes with special needs children should also receive help through subsidies on water and electricity. Adoption of this suggestion will suggest putting people first,” he said.
This year’s budget, themed ‘Putting People First’, includes a $5,000 increase to Old Age Pension and a $3,000 increase for persons receiving public assistance. These measures were announced by Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh during the presentation of the $1.558 trillion national budget.
Other measures aimed at benefiting citizens include the promised $100,000 cash grant for every adult Guyanese aged 18 and over, along with several new initiatives designed to support home and vehicle ownership, encourage the startup of new businesses, and diversify the economy.
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