President of the Supermarkets Association of T&T Doochan Persad has said that though his organisation would have liked to see more measures outlined for agriculture, it was satisfied with provisions made by the Government to offset food prices. In a brief telephone interview, Persad praised Government's enhancement of the disposable income to national security officers as well as the $1,000 increase on national insurance pensions. "Everybody complains about high food prices so we feel these measures will assist the population with the cost of food products," said Persad.
He said his association was quite happy to note Minister Winston Dookeran's announcement of automatic access to the TT Food Card for the disabled. He said he was concerned about the deficit and the Government's plans for financing but said he would await further information during the budget debate scheduled for Friday at the International Waterfront Complex. Meanwhile, president of the Downtown Owners and Merchants' Association (Doma) Gregory Aboud said he was unable to comment further than describing the proposals as generic. (KC)