Four key decisions have been taken during the first Cabinet meeting convened today by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
According to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, these are as follows:
- Amendment to The Children’s Life Fund Act, 2010, Chapter 29:01 in order to expand the category of applicants that may qualify for a grant thereunder and to introduce a mechanism of review by the Minister of Health, of a decision of the Board of Management of the Children’s Life Fund Authority, to reject an application for a grant under the Act.
- Repeal of The Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority Act, (No. 17 of 2021) and that the Prime Minister be authorised to address all financial and staffing obligations attendant on the Authority to bring its operations to a close. Further, in keeping with Government’s stated policy, the Government will focus its resources on strengthening the Board of Inland Revenue instead of establishing the Authority.
- A special committee is to be established to evaluate and make proposals for an effective suite of measures to enable citizens to defend themselves and to defend property when faced with a threat by criminal actors. This special committee will make recommendations for an appropriate “stand your ground” law in Trinidad and Tobago.
- A Special Committee will be established to consider approaches to combat home invasions and the development of appropriate legislative sanctions to combat home invasions in Trinidad and Tobago.
According to the OPM statement, a Government Orientation Programme was also held today.
It says the programme was designed to equip newly appointed Ministers, Ministers in the Ministry and Parliamentary Secretaries with the knowledge, tools, and resources necessary to navigate their roles effectively.
The Programme’s topics included:
- Ministry of Public Administration – Structural Overview of Government
- Ministry of Finance – Execution of Budget
- Ministry of Finance – Financial Management and Accounting System of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago
- Ministry of Finance – State Enterprises and Boards
- Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development – Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP)
- Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs – Protocol
- Office of the Prime Minister – eCabinet Platform
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