Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services, Dr Natalie Chaitan-Maharaj, has assured that no cheque is issued by the Government “unless they are confirmed.”
During the Senate debate on the Budget, Dr. Chaitan-Maharaj dismissed Opposition claims that citizens were being turned away at banks when trying to cash Government-issued cheques, stating that this was simply not true.
“No cheque is issued by this Ministry unless they are confirmed and has allocations to support it. The narratives that they are pushing are therefore no more than an attempt to mislead the public and to sow doubt about the Ministry’s fiscal discipline and reliability.”
She made it clear that every cheque issued is backed by confirmed funds.
“We have also taken note of claims that persons are being turned away at banks when they attempt to cash their cheques. Madam Vice President, let me make it categorically clear. Public sector funding revolves around the assurance of funds. Under this UNC-led administration, every cheque issued to a citizen is secured, valid and honoured, because we understand that public trust must never be compromised.”
Senator Chaitan-Maharaj also addressed the surge in demand for social services, noting that long lines existed at the Ministry, even before the current Government took office in April.
“Let me make it clear, these queues existed before, as a result of their inefficiency. That happened before April 2025, in their outgoing regime. These citizens, since we have come into Government, who were abandoned without support, turned to the Ministry in desperation for assistance. We responded immediately, expanding our intake points, redeploying staff and extending hours to meet the surge in need.”
She defended the Government’s decision for the one-dollar reduction in Super gasoline, a move she said will ease financial pressure and stimulate economic activity.
“Meanwhile, they overlook the relief we provided, like the $1 reduction in super gasoline that directly affects and benefits motorists. This half a billion dollars that we will retain from these pump figures, they remain in the hands of the people, and it will have a multiplier effect on the economy, not an increase in the cost of living.”
Senator Chaitan-Maharaj said in just 150 days, the Ministry has been able to accelerate policy implementation, ensuring uninterrupted support for the nation’s most vulnerable, as was seen by the processing of thousands of senior citizens’ pension applications, and the “speedy repair” of the cheque-printing machine at the Ministry.