URP wants an audit of the relief grants

A police officer escorts two women who are part of the distribution exercise for the Covid-19 Cash Grant

The United Republican Party is calling for an audit of the cash relief grants  distributed by the government.

On Tuesday in a letter, URP Leader Vishnu Bandhu claims that the distribution of the grants is being done without accountability.

“The party’s investigations reveal scams, schemes and bureaucratic bungles,” in the handing out of the grants Bandhu said.

The URP leader said his party has received many complaints, “word on the ground is that some officials responsible for collecting information and or approving the relief are skimping off the grant and being engaged in rampant fraud of money meant for victims,” he said.

In his letter, the URP leader also listed complaints of favouritism in the distribution as he said the there are allegations that the grant is being distributed to party activists while those not known to support the ruling party are being bypassed.

Bandhu wants an “auditor’s report” of the ongoing distribution as he believes that the grant is not reaching those affected.

The government is currently distributing its flood relief grant to farmers and households affected by the June floods.

There is also a grant being distributed to pensions. A COVID-19 relief grant was also distributed by the government.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo is already on record as stating that corrupt officials who are involved in the various grants distribution exercises will he fired and dealt with once identifed.