IAC says President has pledged restoration of ERC during recent meeting

The Indian Action Committee (IAC) during a meeting with President Granger on Thursday, August 18, 2016 at the Ministry of the Presidency discussed several issues including  the call for  the restoration of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC).

The body says the President has given his assurance that the ERC will be restored when Parliament reconvenes.

The Head of State was also briefed about the series of cultural events ,including a stage Play planned by the IAC to commemorate the centenary anniversary of the arrival of the S.S. Ganges which brought 437 persons.

The IAC suggested to President Granger that this commemoration coincides with the unveiling of the 1838 (Indian Indentured) Monument which is a gift from the Government of India to the people of Guyana. The IAC had led the call for the Monument during the time of the previous government.

The monument has been completed and is ready to be shipped to Guyana for installation at Palmyra, Region Six Berbice, the organization confirmed.

According to the IAC a clarification was sought from President Granger regarding what he meant by “anomalies” and “controversies” pertaining to communal and proprietary villages established by formerly enslaved persons between 1839 and 1860 and his proposed communal lands commission to deal with these problems.
The body said it was informed by the President that no lands will be taken away from anyone but problems relating to land ownership involving the descendants of the commonly owned lands involving land titles will be resolved by this commission.
The IAC said it intends to follow up these matters with the President.

Further, the organization informed that it will reach out to other stakeholders including the political opposition, religious groups, the international community and civil society on these and other matters relating to the Indian community.

The Ministry of the Presidency says the Head of State was also briefed by the Committee that it is currently working on a stage production called “I AM US”, which is slated for the National Cultural Centre (NCC) in the first week of October.

The play, which will also be taken to other regions across Guyana, seeks to address age-old issues that prevent Guyanese from different ethnic groups from fully understanding and trusting each other.

In response, President Granger assured that his Government is supportive of any group or programme that can contribute to the fostering of social cohesion and national unity.