Filwaqt li fid-deher, il-Gvern kien qal li kien irreveda l-pożizzjoni li jiffavorixxi żidiet privileggjati ghal pensjonanti parlamentari, issa ħareg li eks-parlamentari Laburista qed jingħata trattament preferenzjali xorta waħda.
Alternattiva Demokratika tirreferi għar-rapport fil-media li Dr Philip Sciberras, eks-membru parlamentari Laburista, qed jingħata pensjoni privileġġata anke jekk ma jikkwalifikax għaliha. Fid-dawl tal-oġġezzjoni li kellu d-Dipartiment tat-Teżor fuq il-kwistjoni kollha, huwa ovvju li l-pressjoni saret mill-Gvern innifsu biex jingħata dan it-trattament preferenzjali u diskriminatorju. AD tinsisti li dan l-atteġġjament tal-Gvern qed joħloq pensjonanti ta’ sekonda klassi li għax mhux tal-qalba, ma jsibux lill-Gvern jaqbeż għalihom.
“Għal darb’oħra qed nassistu għal każ ieħor fejn l-alleanza politika favur il-Gvern tiftaħ triq fil-baħar għal xi wħud. Huwa ta’ għajb li l-istess entużjażmu li jintuża ma’ ta’ ġewwa li jgħixu komdi bi tliet pensjonijiet imdaqqsa, mhux qed jintuża l-istess mod ma’ min b’pensjoni miżera, huwa f’riskju serju ta’ faqar”, tenna Mario Mallia, Deputat Chairperson ta’ AD.
Għaldaqstant, AD permezz taċ-Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo għada se tagħmel talba formali lill-Awditur Ġenerali biex jinvestiga dan il-każ serju ta’ indħil politiku, illegalita` u diskriminazzjoni sfaċċata.
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Political interference, illegality and blatant discrimination. AD asks Auditor General to investigate.
While ostensibly, the government had said that it has reviewed its position that favours privileged parliamentary pensions for MPs, it has now emerged that a former Labour MP is being afforded preferential treatment anyway.
AD refers to reports in the media that Dr. Philip Sciberras, a former Labour MP is being given a privileged pension even if he does not qualify for it. Although the Treasury Department objected on this preferential treatment, it is obvious that Government pressured the department to act in a preferential and discriminatory manner. AD insists that the government is creating second class pensioners, while meting out preferential treatment to its close allies and supporters.
“Once again we are witnessing another instance where party allegiance opens the way for preferential treatment and favouritism at the expense of the state. It is a shame that the same enthusiasm used with those living very comfortably with three sizeable pensions, is not shown towards pensioners in a serious risk of poverty “, said Mario Mallia, AD Deputy Chairperson.
AD through its Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo will tomorrow make a formal request for investigation to the Auditor General. This is a serious case of political interference, illegality and blatant discrimination.
