http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161532862
Thursday, September 17th 2009
People of East Indian origin are being discriminated against by the People's National Movement (PNM) at every level of society, an upset Opposition MP Chandresh Sharma has said.
In his contribution to the budget debate on Monday, Sharma raised the issue of racial discrimination against Indians and pointed out a number of areas where he claimed Government had been unfair in its distribution and hiring practices.
He noted that some $5m was given to the Emancipation Committee when $150,000 was given to the Indian Arrival Day committee.
"Shame!" fired Information Minister Neil Parsanlal as Sharma hit back, "That's not shame that's racism and that's discrimination and that's what the PNM survives on, they play the race card morning, noon and night".
Sharma proceeded to point out that of the 178 students awarded Government scholarships to study in Grenada only 16 were of East Indian origin.
He further added that 16 Ambassadors placed in different countries, only two are of East Indian origin.
Parsanlal shot back at Sharma saying, "I am ashamed that on every occasion this has to descend into race...that on every occasion this Parliament has to be treated with this kind of nonsense".
Sharma persisted, noting that of the 28 permanent secretaries, three were of East Indian origin and of 33 deputy permanent secretaries, five were of East Indian origin.
He added that in the state enterprises of the 250 board directors of 30 corporations only 35 were on East Indian origin.
"What is happening to the East Indians in this country?...Is the PNM against them?" he asked.
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