Gov’t undermining independence, scrutiny of constitutional agencies through budget cuts

The opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) yesterday criticised the government for slashing the proposed budgets for 17 constitutional bodies, while saying the reductions would undermine their independence and see less scrutiny.

Speaking at a press conference hosted by the PPP/C, Anil Nandlall, Member of Parliament and former attorney general, told reporters that “government is violating the Constitution and the autonomy and independence which that Constitution confers upon constitutional agencies.”

He said they were “established by the Constitution and they are cloaked with functional autonomy and independence.”