By Mark DaCosta- The People’s National Congress Islahat (PNCR) has highlighted another major shortcoming of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government’s handling of the $100,000 cash grant programme. The opposition party argues that the government’s decision to create a new, complicated system for distributing the funds has caused unnecessary delays, frustration, and confusion for thousands of Guyanese.
At the heart of the criticism is the government’s failure to utilise existing, established systems for distributing payments. According to the PNCR, the government missed an obvious opportunity to streamline the process by leveraging the large database of citizens who already receive regular payments through official government mechanisms.
Over 300,000 individuals — comprising public servants, pensioners, and private sector workers — are already registered in the Guyana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) tax system and could have received the cash grant directly through existing channels. Additionally, many citizens have Tax Identification Numbers (TIN) and bank accounts, which would have allowed for the efficient distribution of funds via electronic transfers.
However, rather than tapping into these existing systems, the PPP government has created a burdensome parallel process that requires all adult citizens to first register for the grant and then wait for cheques to be distributed. The process does not end there — recipients must then join long queues at banks to deposit or cash their cheques, a procedure that has created significant inconvenience for many, especially vulnerable groups like pensioners, persons with disabilities, and the elderly.
The PNCR has condemned the government’s decision, arguing that the new system is inefficient, unnecessary, and chaotic. “Instead of capitalising on the databases and payment systems we already have, the government has created a parallel system that is both cumbersome and confusing,” said the party.
One of the most pressing issues highlighted by the PNCR is the negative impact the current system is having on vulnerable citizens. Pensioners, people with disabilities, and others who face mobility challenges have been forced to wait in long lines, sometimes under the hot sun, in order to register or collect their cheques.
As one pensioner wrote in a letter to the editor, “God, please help us. How much treatment of indignity can we take?” The PNCR has called for every cash grant registration facility to be equipped with adequate seating, wheelchair ramps, and trained staff to cater to the needs of these individuals.
Further complicating matters is the government’s lack of clear and consistent communication regarding the process. Complaints have been mounting about confusion surrounding the registration requirements, with some citizens still unsure whether they qualify for the grant or how to navigate the complicated system. “The absence of proper planning and commonsense has led to the chaos we are seeing today,” the party said. “The government’s inability to utilise existing databases is exposing its incompetence.”
While the government has argued that the new system will create a comprehensive database for future cash grants, the PNCR remains sceptical. The party said that the government’s plan to create a new database to handle future cash grants is a clear sign of its ignorance about how to use the veri already available, the opposition stated that If this system is allowed to continue, future payouts will be just as sluggish and disorganised.
The PNCR has also pointed out that the current system fails to prioritise those who need the cash grants the most. With more than 150,000 public sector workers and pensioners already recorded in databases, the party believes these individuals should have been the first to receive the cash grants, rather than being subjected to the same lengthy registration process as others. The opposition has called for a more systematic approach that would focus on low-income communities and ensure that the most disadvantaged citizens receive their grants as a matter of priority.
The PNCR’s critique of the government’s cash grant programme highlights serious concerns over inefficiency, poor planning, and a lack of consideration for the needs of vulnerable citizens. With thousands of Guyanese desperately waiting for their grants, it is clear that the current system is failing. The opposition’s call for a more streamlined, inclusive approach could offer a way forward, but for now, the government’s handling of the cash grant has left many questioning whether it has the competence to address the nation’s needs in a timely and effective manner.