Bharath: I'm doing it for my country

Former UNC minister Vasant Bharath is sticking to his position on why he accepted an offer to be part of the post-covid19 recovery team formed by government and announced by the Prime Minister last month.

In a conversation with Newsday, he maintained that he joined not for political reasons but to help the country move forward in an uncertain time.

“At the end of the day, there are going to be insecurities as far as people are concerned. But that is no concern of mine. I have said over and over again that the national interest must always trump personal interest.

“The deliberations that this committee would arrive at would have far-reaching implications, and it is imperative that we get it as right as possible. There is no blueprint for this situation, so we have to make sure we have the best people making the decisions.

"Look at the calibre of the people that are part of this. These are people of high quality with vast experience in an array of different fields. They are trying to take us out of a disaster of immense proportions. Not many people would have an opportunity to serve on such a committee.”

On Monday night Bharath announced on social media that he has accepted an offer to join the 22-member team that will devise a roadmap to recovery, introduced to the country by the Prime Minister on April 16.

While some have criticised his decision to join the team, several commended his patriotism. But the former minister said anyone, regardless of party, should be willing to be part of a committee whose goal is the advancement of the country.

He said he would initially lend his assistance and expertise in the agricultural sector, but said later on he hoped to contribute in the finance and trade areas as well. He hinted that the committee might put a focus on improving the nation’s food security.

“If nothing else, covid19 has taught us that we can’t be overly dependent on the rest of the world. We need to be able to fend for ourselves, so there may be a significant emphasis on food security.”

Senator Anita Haynes said the UNC had not yet discussed its position on Bharath’s acceptance to the team, but said since the announcement of the initiative, the UNC has offered advice and assistance to the government. But to date, no opposition member has been invited to the team.

Haynes said, “We have been delivering aid to communities affected by job loss and fulfilling our parliamentary duties. But we have initially said since the team was announced, that government’s words and actions in putting together the team seem disjointed.”

She said on October 12 UNC  leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar presented an economic plan in Parliament. But once it realised the effect of the virus and its inevitable spread to TT, the UNC revamped the plan and on March 10 presented it to Dr Rowley in a memo.

She said, as of Tuesday morning, it had received no response.

“Any rebuilding of the economy should be everyone’s priority, but anyone seeking to govern a country must state what their political party can do.”

She urged the public to look at the UNC's economic plan.

Responding to Haynes, Minister of Public Utilities Robert Hunte said mechanisms were put in place by the committee to facilitate input from all citizens and organisations of TT. He said the committee had received several contributions and each one would be reviewed.

“The committee is building a roadmap for the country going forward. We were mandated to have wide consultation among all parties that are willing to contribute, and that continues to be the mandate.”