Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat on Monday stated that if the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government followed the cash handout recommendations proposed by the opposition, the country could face bankruptcy.
The Member of Parliament (MP) made these remarks during his presentation in the National Assembly during the 2025 Budget Debate.
On Day One of the debate, Opposition MP Ronald Cox suggested a $1 million cash handout to every family. MP Cox said, “Under an alternative government, we will see $1 million being given to every single family in this country, expanding the cash grant system to cover a large proportion of families…”
In response, Minister Bharrat said, “A $1 million dollar cash handout from the Honorable Cox, good luck my brother. Apparently, you have no idea as to the revenue earnings of our country.”
He continued, “It would simply make our country bankrupt, and we will be unable to do anything, whether it’s infrastructure, whether it’s healthcare, whether it’s education, or any other service. We will be a bankrupt country once we follow your policy, Honorable Cox, and the policy of the APNU+AFC.”
Minister Bharrat underscored that opposition members often make fanciful recommendations and fake promises, which, he pointed out, are not grounded in reality.
Last year, the government announced a $100,000 cash grant for citizens aged 18 years and older. This initiative, rolled out last year, is ongoing with distribution and registration. Some 600,000 citizens are expected to benefit from this programme which is expected to cost $60 billion. Following this announcement, Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton stated that if the Coalition government wins the 2025 General and Regional Elections, it would implement a monthly cash grant of $100,000 or $150,000 for citizens.
