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By Abena Rockcliffe Former Presidents Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar remain vexed with the government over its move to cap their benefits. So upset are the former Presidents they have moved to the courts to get what they view as their “fundamental rights.”Former President Bharrat JagdeoThe former Presidents have caused the writs to be filed in the High Court since November 11. But there was silence over this act. None of them made an announcement as they are wont to do ever since they became the opposition.Jagdeo failed to inform the media about this during his conferences where he talked about the “greed” of the current government.The media only found out about this move yesterday when the Attorney General, Basil Williams announced that the former Presidents are seeking to “in effect receive the large sums of money” in benefits and other facilities that were capped on the coming into operation of the Former Presidents (Benefits and other Facilities) Act of 2015.Despite the fact that Jagdeo and Ramotar are using the same Attorney-at-Law, Murseline Bacchus, the applications were filed separately.The matter will come up before Chief Justice Ian Chang and Justice Narendra Singh on December 11. Williams will be seeking leave to defend the Applications.According to the Writ, Jagdeo and Ramotar are contending that the Act of 2015 should only affect the benefits of future Presidents.Ramotar demitted office on May 16, 2015 and Jagdeo on December 3, 2011.Williams told the media, “The question is really whether this country could afford uncapped benefits for former Presidents which could amount to hundreds of millions of dollars annually.”Former President Donald RamotarJagdeo,Cheap China Jerseys, asked about keeping this legal action a secret, responded, “My lawyer will send out a statement in a short while because as usual,Cheap Mens Jordan Sneakers, Williams has misrepresented the facts.”Bacchus indeed sent out a statement subsequently. However, it did not differ in actual content from what was related by Williams.Bacchus said, “I observe in the press certain misleading statements attributable to the Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, Mr. Basil Williams, conveying the impression that my clients are ‘seeking to receive large sums of money’.My clients are simply seeking from the Court the following among others: A Declaration that the Former Presidents (Benefits and other Facilities) Act No. 3 of 2015 does not retrospectively affect benefits which accrued to them under the Former President (Benefits and other Facilities) Act of 2009; an Order compelling the Minister of Finance and the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority to provide forthwith to the Applicants the benefits conferred upon them by the Former President (Benefits and other Facilities) Act of 2009.The other former President,Brett Favre Falcons Jersey, Samuel Hinds has so far not complained about the capped benefits.The Bill to cap the benefits was unanimously passed in the National Assembly during the time when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic refused to take up its seats.The explanatory memorandum of the Bill says that it will repeal the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act of 2009, and replace it to provide greater specificity.The burden that the lifestyle of former President Bharrat Jagdeo placed on the Treasury was the focal point of speeches presented by those who spoke to the Bill.Minister of Legal Affairs Basil WilliamsMinister of Finance,Wholesale NHL Jerseys, Winston Jordan, was keen to note and repeat that the Act of 2009 will be repealed.Jordan also said that the size of the economy and the ability to sustain such open-ended and uncapped benefits, were ignored when Ramotar refused to assent to a similar Bill. He said that that showed narrow self-serving interest.Jordan made reference to the fact that over the period December 2011 to February 2014, Jagdeo racked up in excess of $45M on transportation, security and electricity bills within 27 months.Jagdeo’s total electricity bill for the duration amounted to over $9.8M. His average monthly light bill was $365,766 at the time. For transportation, he utilised over $15.2M. The State spent over $20.3M for his security over that 27-month period, an average of $752,649 monthly.Jordan pointed out that Jagdeo’s light bill is 8.7 times the minimum wage and his security bill is 17.6 times the same and 1.7 times the salary of a sitting Minister of GovernmentFormer Presidents will now be given $25,000 per month for electricity, a further $25,000 for water and another $25,000 for telephone. The new Bill states that former Presidents will be given services of personal and household staff, including a gardener but, the total number of such staffers cannot exceed three persons.There will be a limit of $200,000 per annum for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred by a former President for himself and his children below the age of 18 years and his spouse, provided that the money was not spent on medical attention and treatment obtained abroad or at private health facilities in Guyana, and were available in Guyana at government institutions.Former Presidents will be given full-time personal security, not exceeding two persons including those at the place of residence.They will also be entitled to the provision of not more than two motor vehicles owned and maintained by the State; toll free transportation; and an annual vacation allowance equivalent to the cost of two first class return airfares provided on the same conditions applicable to Judges of the Supreme Court of Judicature.However,Wholesale NFL Jerseys China, even with the benefits being capped, the new Bill states that “A Former President shall cease to be entitled to the benefits and other facilities provided under section 3, if the former President engages in business, trade or paid employment or is convicted of a criminal offence for which a term of imprisonment is imposed.”