By Umadevi Bux –
Alliance For Change (AFC) leader Khemraj Ramjattan said President Donald Ramotar’s veto of the two opposition bills is an act of provocation and that the opposition will consider whether to support future bills from the government and a possible no-confidence motion, which if passed would necessitate snap elections.
Ramotar has deemed two opposition-sponsored bills null and void and of no effect and that the bills violated the Constitution. In a swift reaction on Wednesday, Ramjattan noted that the non-assenting to the bills is a complete act of provocation on behalf of the government. He noted that this is a clear case for a no-confidence vote against the government and snap elections, and any bill coming from the government calls for veto on behalf of the opposition.
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) co-leader Dr Rupert Roopnaraine noted that the coalition’s lawyers are considering the next steps. He also noted that the opposition only received the information at Tuesday’s sitting of the National Assembly.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman noted that he has done his part as it relates to Article 170(3), which clearly states: “Where the president withholds his assent to a bill, he shall return it to the Speaker within 21 days of the date when it was presented to him for assent with a message stating the reasons why he has withheld his assent.” He said, “Let the politicians deal with the matter as I have done my part.”
He noted that as Speaker, he will stay away from such matters until it is necessary for his intervention as Speaker of the House.
Guyana Times International was told that Trotman had written the president on Friday seeking an update on whether he had assented to the bills, noting that the bills were sent to him since February. The president noted in his response that the Fiscal Management and Accountability Bill (Amendment) Bill 2012 (Bill Number 24 of 2012) was presented to his offices on May 3, 2013 and in accordance to article 171(2) of the Constitution it cannot be introduced into the National Assembly by a private member, and it can only be introduced with the consent of the Cabinet, signified by a minister.
Khemraj Ramjattan
Ramotar also noted that in Section 82 of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act states that the minister may, by order amend the schedule and it is therefore wrong to amend the schedule by an Act of Parliament.
It was also noted that in virtue of article eight of the Former Presidents Benefits and other Facilities Bill 2012, Bill Number 29 of 2012 presented to his offices on May 3, 2013, was in violation of the Constitution.
According to the president, the bill takes away vested rights and it is a denial of legitimate expectation and violation of article 142(1), which prohibits the taking away of property compulsorily without the prompt payment of compensation.
A bill sent back to the National Assembly following the president’s refusal to assent and make law must be accompanied by the reasons for the rejection.
Further, it must secure a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly before it can be returned to the head of state. Trotman told the National Assembly during his announcement of the president’s decision, that the House is now in the realm of constitutional articles that were never used before.
