THE Supermarket Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT) is taking issue with the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services (MSDFS) decision not to honour encashed cheques at supermarkets for February and March.
The ministry decision comes after 1,836 pension, disability and food card cheques were stolen from the Sangre Grande Post Office on Monday.
In a release on Thursday, SATT stated that it commiserated with the affected families who were now unlikely to receive the grants that they need during the Covid-19 pandemic as the ministry will have to reissue the cheques.
It stated, “SATT takes note that all forms of grants by way of cheques encompassing pension cheques, disability assistance and food card cheques have been affected by these nefarious means.”
It added, “While the pandemic has certainly made life more challenging not least in the navigation of economic activity, we see opportunities presented for digital means to present to the affected persons to transition to the digital forums as we acknowledge that many of the affected are also unbanked by their choice and also by the frustration that accompanies the opening of such means.
“Conversely this decision to not honour cheques at supermarkets will also present challenges to those for whom this relief is intended.”
It called for solutions that include the Bankers Association of Trinidad and Tobago (BATT).
