By RICHARDSON DHALAI Saturday, September 5 2009

The outspoken Brown lamented that the card, which had replaced the SHARE programme, was not being used to track the nutritional benefits as well as the purchasing habits of cardholders.

Social Development Minister, Dr Amery Browne, addressing the post-Cabinet briefing on Thursday, said Cabinet has approved a detailed review of the list of TT Card holders saying a means test would now be instituted to determine the eligibility of cardholders. But in a telephone interview yesterday, Brown said she didn’t expect any significant changes to take place with the card saying, “I don’t think they will go after their political patrons.



“All these things are being done in my opinion for pure political mileage. One gets the impression that, and election is coming, and by the way ministers are making pronouncements on issues,” she reminded. “But for me this is less important than how is the card being used to address the nutritional needs of the cardholders,” she said



“Are they any more healthy; are they any more better; is the card being used to track their spending habits, and where they are shopping,” she questioned. Brown recalled that the card had initially been intended to serve as a means of tracing the needs of participants, but was now only being used as a debit card.”



She said this was no different from the SHARE programme which also did not take into account the nutritional needs, nor witnessed the acts of unscrupulous persons placing expired and dented foodstuffs in hampers.



She cited a case in Arima when organisers in the SHARE programme had recommended the use of fresh vegetables to be placed in the hampers, but this had been overruled by the ministry which insisted on basic food items to be placed in the hampers. “What is the purpose of the smart card if it is not being used to assist in the nutritional needs and track spending habits? Otherwise, she added, they may as well continue to box food and give out to participants,” she added.