With elections on our mind

The case referred to by Joseph M. Vella (April 28) is not isolated. On July 16, 2003 I wrote to the Director of Social Security regarding my mother's pension together with the tax statement for year of assessment 2003, informing them to reduce the tax accordingly with immediate effect so as she would not have to pay any extra amounts to the tax department.

On July 21, 2003 she received an acknowledgement signed by K. Cacciottolo for the director, however up to this day the deductions have not as yet been changed.

I started receiving my pension on March 8, 2003 with a discrepancy of 10c less; on bringing this case to the department's notice I was informed that an adjustment would be made, however this might take some time. On February 18, 2004 (nearly a year later) I wrote to the director informing him about my case. I received an acknowledgment on March 10, 2004 from Mrs J. Camilleri, assistant principal, but no adjustment has been made.

On April 20 I wrote to the minister, Dolores Cristina, in which letter I apologised for having to refer such a trivial matter to her but I was left without any other option.

Up till today this letter has not even been acknowledged. Still a long way, I suppose, for the election, but some of us commoners that are not worth the bother can have elephant memories.