Chandarpal resigns
-returns to post as presidential advisor
Stabroek News
June 25, 2003
Minister of Agriculture Navin Chandarpal has resigned.
As of July 1 he will revert to his previously held position as Presidential Advisor on Sustainable Development. Minister of Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock, with responsibility for Forestry, Satyadeow Sawh will temporarily discharge the functions of Minister of Agriculture.
The minister’s move to the Office of the President (OP) follows weeks of speculation about his likely resignation.
Efforts by Stabroek News yesterday to contact Chandarpal on why he was quitting his post failed.
Chandarpal had taken up the post following the 2001 elections after serving for several years as Presidential advisor on environmental matters.
Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, who announced Chandarpal’s departure at his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday afternoon, said that it was his belief that the minister had his personal considerations with respect to the move from the ministry back to the Office of the President which he may share with the press at some time.
“Minister Chandarpal’s return to OP continues some recognition that has been publicly stated of the significant responsibilities - additional responsibilities - devolved on this new OP and the novel dispensations that have arisen. I don’t believe that a resource as useful as the minister is readily available elsewhere and I think that was one consideration.”
Stabroek News had earlier this month stated that Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy and another minister had tendered their resignations in frustration over issues related to their respective ministries. Ramsammy later declined to confirm or deny the report that he had tendered his resignation though sources said he later withdrew if after being assured that certain changes would be made.
Luncheon, at his post-Cabinet briefing later that week, had said that Cabinet had not been confronted with any resignations by ministers and further that appointments of such persons and those of permanent secretaries were a matter within the purview of President Bharrat Jagdeo.
Meanwhile, former Permanent Secretary in the now dissolved Ministry of Information, Philip Hamilton has been appointed to act in a similar capacity in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.
The appointment, which according to Dr Luncheon, was made by President Jagdeo will also take effect from July 1.
