Couva North MP, Ravi Ratiram, is calling on the Government to fix the Praedial Larceny Squad.
Mr Ratiram says the issue has been a pressing one for him since he became MP in 2020, with the Squad being understaffed, underfunded and consequently “outmaneuvered by the criminal element”.
He pointed to a recent incident in which members of the PLS threatened work stoppage action and issued a press release that spoke to a looming threat of a judicial review lawsuit.
Their release also highlighted several issues including: short-term contracts, disparity in salaries & working hours, a lack of communication devices, lack of firearms and a lack of working vehicles.
Mr Raitram is now calling on new Agriculture Minister, Kazim Hosein, to strengthen the PLS in a bid to protect farmers.
