For the past three newscasts we've been reporting on the forty Christmas Assistance programme that the Barrow Administration has deployed countrywide.
As explained by the Prime Minister, each electoral division will get a disbursement of forty thousand dollars to provide some assistance to needy families.
Last night you heard Orange Walk Central Area Representative John Briceno say he was not included - and today the PUP issued an official release criticizing the programme.
The release says, quote: "What is in fact occurring is that public funds are being distributed only to UDP Members of Parliament and Area Representatives and to UDP Standard Bearers for distribution to a favored few on a purely partisan list."
The release confirms that no PUP Area Representative has received any public funds from the "Christmas Assistance Program".
They allege that instead, unelected UDP Standard Bearers have been allocated public funds to distribute as they see fit.
As the Prime Minister explained it, the money is "being channeled through various ministries."
Nonetheless, the PUP is not convince and calls on the Auditor General, and the Ombudsman to investigate this program for fraud and, quote, "blatant misappropriation of public funds."
Channel 7
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