Edmond Campbell, News Coordinator

PRIME MINISTER Bruce Golding yesterday announced increased benefits under the Programme for Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), and a hike in pension allowances, in his maiden Budget presentation as head of the Government.

Beginning April 1, PATH benefits will move from $530 to $650 per month.

Students registered under the programme, who are in grades seven-nine, will receive $850 per month, while their seniors in grades 10-11 will get $1,000 per month.

"Education is the ladder that will enable the poor people to escape poverty, and therefore, we want to do something extra for those students who are registered under the programme and who are at risk," Golding said.

With some 245,000 persons currently benefiting under PATH, the prime minister said the programme would be widened to include another 115,000 who were dispossessed.

In an attempt to cushion the massive increase in the price of basic food items, the prime minister has announced a $500 increase in the basic rate paid to pensioners.

This means that pensioners now receiving $1,500 per week will get $2,000 per week.

Legislative measures

In a wide-ranging presentation, Golding also gave an update on legislative measures to be implemented this year.

He told the country that a bill to establish an independent authority to investigate abuses by members of the security forces was ready and would be tabled today in the House of Representatives.

A bill to establish a special coroner to carry out speedy inquests into controversial killings by agents of the state will also be tabled in Parliament.

Pensions/allowances up

Basic NIS pension	$2,000 p/w	$500
Maximum NIS pension	$2,900 p/w	$700
Three-quarter pension	$1,500 p/w	$375
Half-pension:	$1,000 p/w	$250
Orphan allowance	$3,500 p/w	$875
Special allowance pre-1911 born	$1,000 p/w	$250
Maternity allowance	$3,700 p/w	$500
Old-age, invalidity,
widow's/widower's grants	$30,000	$10,000
Orphans, special children grant	$40,000	$10,000
Funeral grants	$60,000	$10,000