Congress of the People (COP) political leader Prakash Ramadhar says the Cabinet acted as judge, jury and executioner in the decision made to dismiss Jwala Rambarran as Central Bank governor.
Ramadhar said the Cabinet acted simply on the basis of legal advice without any clarity as to allegations and questioned whether Rambarran was given the appropriate opportunity to be heard.
On Wednesday, Cabinet recommended to the President that the employment of Rambarran as Central Bank governor be terminated. Alvin Hilaire was appointed as the new governor.
In a news release yesterday, Ramadhar said the secrecy of cabinet’s decision was compounded by the fact that it did not even form part of an announcement at the customary post-cabinet media briefing.
“The fact that this was actioned while His Excellency (Anthony Carmona) is out of the country and so swiftly by the PNM’s Senate President (Christine Kangaloo) acting for him, also adds to the appearance of kangaroo court action,” said Ramadhar.
“Despite the allegations of criminal wrongdoing against the Central Bank governor, there is not a word of any criminal conviction, far less charges involving him in government’s reasons for dismissing him summarily,” he said.
“This action by the present regime, the Cabinet and Acting President was conducted in a manner which smacks of being surreptitious and in defiance of the rule of natural justice and all norms of governance in dealing with the holders of such independent offices.”
The United National Congress (UNC), in a separate statement, also criticised Rambarran’s dismissal.
In a release issued by UNC chairman David Lee, the party described Rambarran’s removal as undemocratic.
“In addition to interfering with the independence of the Central Bank, the government’s actions through the Acting President has now dragged the independent presidency into the political arena.
“This is not just about whether such action is legal. It is about perception of what is just, right and above all ethically correct,” Lee said.
He noted that the action followed the firing of Indar Maharaj, president of the National Gas Company; sending Housing Development Corporation senior managers on administrative leave; the dismissal of hundreds of Unemployment Relief Programme and Community-based Enhancement Protection and Enhancement Programme personnel; as well as the refusal to renew contracts of hundreds of workers in the public sector.
Lee compared Rambarran’s dismissal to moves against former House Speaker Occah Seapaul who was placed under house arrest and the attempted impeachment of then chief justice Satnarine Sharma.
“We look forward to the voices of the Law Association, the trade union movement and other civil society and professional organisations, who have in the past acted as a government watchdog,” the statement said.