Over 80% of cash grant cheques already distributed – Finance Secretary

…says 95% of process to be completed by mid-March

With over 490,000 cheques distributed from the $100,000 per adult cash grant initiative, Finance Secretary Sukrishnalall Pasha is anticipating that 95 per cent of the entire process can be completed by the middle of March.
It had previously been announced that as of 2024-year end, 90,000 of the $100,000 cash grant cheques had been distributed, to public servants and pensioners. In an interview with this publication on Tuesday, the Finance Secretary revealed that a total of 495,000 cheques has so far been distributed. He was optimistic that they could complete over 90 per cent of the entire process by mid-March.
“The distribution process was largely successful. In most of the regions, we had no major incidents. We’re almost at the end, as of yesterday we would have distributed more than 80 per cent of the cheques printed. And by the end of this week or mid-March, we are optimistic that we will distribute more than 90 per cent of the cheques,” Pasha said.

Pasha also noted that notwithstanding a few sporadic kinks and complaints about the distribution, on a statistical level the roll out was overwhelmingly successful. He referenced some of the places he personally visited, including in Sophia, where the cash grant distribution went smoothly.
“For instance, since last year, you would have noticed that the number of complaints on social media and mainstream media have reduced substantially. Yesterday we started in Sophia. I was shocked! I went through the entire Sophia. They had no incidents. Charlestown, on Sunday. You go to some of the centres. You go to National Park right now, you’d be shocked to see the numbers there.”

“During the first few hours, we usually, despite our best efforts to deploy maximum resources. We have to deal with large crowds. People get agitated and a bit loud. But we try our best to ensure the experience of every centre is as good as where we had no incident,” Pasha further said.
Approximately 600,000 Guyanese aged 18 and above are eligible for the cash grant, which was first announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali in October last year. Temporary centres have been established countrywide to facilitate the registration and distribution of the cash grant.
Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for finance, Dr Ashni Singh, has explained that even after these centres are closed, persons who are yet to register or receive their cheques can do so at their respective Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), or at other similar offices.

Persons who for varying reasons have not been able to register would still have an opportunity to collect their cash grants Minister Singh had assured, provided that they get themselves registered. The Ministry of Finance has been posting the distribution schedules on its social media pages.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had meanwhile recently urged shut-ins not to stand in long lines at the cash grant distribution centres countrywide, assuring that the Government will put systems in place to have the cheques delivered to them.
While acknowledging some issues with the processes nationwide, the Vice President had also emphasised that the majority of beneficiaries have had positive experiences. Dr Jagdeo has also commended the efficiency of staff at distribution points.
One of the more widespread rumours that had caused unnecessary panic among recipients was the belief that the cheques are only valid for three days. This misinformation has led many to rush to the banks, eager to cash in their checks before they expire.
As a result, some individuals have been reportedly discounting their cheques, offering to cash them for a smaller sum, with a portion of the money going to the middleman- something Government has warned against. The reality is that all cheques are valid for a six-month period.