by Devonne Cornelius
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr. Timothy Harris says payments to qualified applicants for the $15 million Income Support Programme have started.
Prime Minister Harris made the announcement at the August 05 sitting of the National Assembly.
“Payment of claims started on July 30 and so far 645 applications have been submitted to the Treasury for monies to be paid to the beneficiaries,” the Finance Minister revealed, adding that another payment will be made on Friday, August 06, 2021, and every week going forward to other qualified applicants.
Additionally, a subsidy for bus operators was implemented to form part of the programme launched mid July.
“With respect to applicants under the fuel subsidy programme, 62 bus operators have been approved and by this Friday[August 06] all should receive their payments.”.
The Finance Minister further indicated that payments for qualified parents and or guardians with differently abled children will commence Friday, August 06, 2021.
As of August 05, 2021, a total of 2915 applications have been received by the Ministry of Finance in St. Kitts.
Other measures announced include a three-month deferral on residential electricity bills, increased support for victims of domestic abuse, and waiving commercial rent for six months for small businesses that lease space through the Ministry of Tourism and Transport. Additionally, the VAT rate will be reduced to five percent for three months on commercial rent for small businesses and a reduction of the travel tax for six months to boost visitor arrivals.
