President announces $2.6B additional measures for vulnerable Guyanese.

…1-off $25,000 for pensioners; $25,000 for persons living with disabilities, 1 month free electricity

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday night announced $2.6 billion in additional measures to help the most vulnerable citizens in Guyana, aimed at improving their lives.
The first measure is a one-off cash grant of $25,000 to all old age pensioners. This grant will benefit almost 65,000 persons, and place an additional $1.6 billion of disposable income in the hands of the elderly.
“I wish to reiterate that this $25,000 one-off grant is equivalent to additional month of pension to every Guyanese pensioner in every community,” the Head of State said.
The second measure is a one-off grant of $25,000 to all public assistance recipients and persons living with disabilities. This grant will benefit about 25,000 persons, and place more than $600 million of additional disposable income in their pockets.
“Thirdly an electricity credit paid to GPL (Guyana Power and Light) on behalf of households consuming not more than 75 kilowatt hours per month. The credit to each household will be equivalent to one month of their electricity bill, and will inject more than $200 million of disposable income to more than 40,000 households,” the Head of State announced.
“…those households in our society would receive the equivalent of one month’s free electricity in these new measures that I’m announcing, this will benefit directly more than 40,000 households across the country. Together, these three new measures will provide additional income support of $2.6 billion to our most vulnerable households,” President Ali said.
The announcement on Monday comes on the heels of the reduction $4.8 billion in shipping-related charges announced last week.
With the aim of cushioning the high shipping costs due to the global pandemic, Ali on Tuesday last had announced several reductions to shipping-related charges to the tune of $4.8 billion in order to bring relief to citizens and businesses.
While these reductions would result in the treasury losing a consequent $4.8 billion in revenues, they are necessary for dealing with the socio-economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ali had said.
On Monday evening, the Head of State pointed out that these new measures are in addition to those which were catered for in the 2020 and 2021 budgets and also the decision by Government which had removed the Value-Added Tax (VAT) on water and electricity, as well as on basic food items, basic household necessities, and on medical and educational supplies. Government had also announced a $25,000 cash grant to each household in Guyana. Also, a slew of measures to assist those affected by the recent countrywide flooding were announced.
He noted that Government remains committed to supporting all Guyanese as “we navigate the current challenges of our time, as we rebuild our country from the difficulties of the last five years, and as we work towards realising the prosperity that inevitably lies ahead for our country and all our citizens.”