Tuesday, August 1st 2006
 
 
Beginning today some 16,000 people will be able to use the Government's Smartcard or TT Card at supermarkets throughout the country to purchase basic food items.

Yesterday at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Port of Spain, Social Development Minister Anthony Roberts officially launched the card that will replace the SHARE programme.

The Smartcard will be given to families who are in need. Families with three members or less will receive $300 per month, families with four and five members will receive $400 per month and families with six or more members will receive $500 per month.

Roberts asserted that the Government does not intend to create a dependency syndrome through this programme and added that no recipient will be allowed to be on the programme for more than two years.

He said that only in special circumstances can the recipients receive extensions, such as in the case of old age or because of severe medical conditions.

"The Government will frown on any approach which will make the citizens of this country become totally dependent on the State," said Roberts.

"We will not condone or further encourage the dependency syndrome.

"We are not in the business of giving handouts... What we are doing is extending a hand-helping those among us who require the help, to help themselves," said Roberts.

He said recipients of the programme will have the opportunity to take part in training workshops that are designed to improve their employment opportunities.

"The TT Card programme has built in sustainability because we are building the skills capacity of those we are helping," said Roberts.

He reiterated that there will be zero tolerance to those who wish to abuse the Smartcard and purchase tobacco and alcohol.

"Any TT Card holder that attempts to purchase alcohol or tobacco with this card will be immediately investigated and if found guilty, will be terminated from the programme," said Roberts.

He said in addition any supermarket that attempts to facilitate the purchase of alcohol and tobacco will be eliminated from the programme.

Roberts said that in order to obtain the TT Card applicants will have to undergo a means test.