Madam Speaker, with due respect, before addressing the question on funding, it is important for this House to recall the circumstances surrounding the land allocated to the Mauritius Tamil Cultural Centre Trust. The land at Réduit Triangle, Moka, was originally leased to the Mauritius Tamil Cultural Centre Trust in August 2010 together with the Hindi Speaking Union and the Urdu Speaking Union, under the prime ministership of Dr. the hon. Navinchandra Ramgoolam. This was done in recognition of the long-standing cultural contribution of these communities and as part of a coherent national vision to support and strengthen our multicultural identity. However, in April 2023, the previous government cancelled that lease. Madam Speaker, it is publicly known that this decision was taken at a time when attempts were being made to divert the land to individuals closely connected to those in power. Such actions understandably generated deep resentment within the Tamil community and raised legitimate concerns about fairness and preferential treatment. Madam Speaker, the retrieval of the land was regarded by the Tamil community as a profound injustice. In August 2024, members of the community, together with the Rann Nou Later movement, organised a peaceful march to defend their legitimate rights. Unfortunately, this peaceful mobilisation was met with arbitrary arrests. This caused further distress and raised serious concerns among Mauritians regarding dignity, justice and the protection of fundamental freedom. What was equally troubling, Madam Speaker, is that after nearly ten years of inaction, the previous Government suddenly announced, almost on the eve of the 2024 general elections, that it would construct buildings for the three organisations whose leases had been cancelled. These organisations had been shifted to Côte d’Or. The timing and manner of this announcement strongly suggest that it was motivated more by political mileage than by any genuine project supported by planning, funding or long-term commitment. Madam Speaker, upon returning to office in November 2024, this Government moved swiftly and responsibly to correct this injustice created. We honoured our commitment to the Tamil community by restoring the land at Réduit Triangle. A new lease agreement was signed on 20 May 2025, reinstating the Mauritius Tamil Cultural Centre Trust legitimate rights and rectifying the unfairness that had been inflicted.

42 Turning now to the specific question of funding raised by the hon. Member, I wish to clearly state that l’Alliance du Changement never pledged to provide financial support for the construction of a cultural centre building for the Mauritius Tamil Cultural Centre Trust. Furthermore, this Government is not constructing any cultural centre building for any community at this stage. The economic situation inherited by this Government has been nothing short of catastrophic. We are therefore required to prioritise essential national obligations such as stabilising public finances, reinforcing social protection systems and meeting urgent service delivery needs. In this context, embarking on new capital incentives, cultural infrastructure projects would not be responsible or sustainable at the moment. This, in no way, diminishes our unwavering commitment to promote and safeguard the culture and heritage of all communities, including the Tamil community. It simply reflects the fiscal reality that this Government must manage responsibly. Madam Speaker, this Government remains firmly committed to fairness, transparency and respect for all communities. We will continue to act responsibly and with full regard to fiscal discipline, transparency and long-term sustainability in the cultural sector, unlike our predecessor. Thank you.

Thank you. Yes?

Madam Speaker, in fact, promises had been made during the campaign; maybe the Minister will not recall. I can tell you the names of Members who have…

Question, please! Question!

…gone as far at the radio to say so. Well, I will ask the hon. Minister whether, there has been any representation with his Ministry with regard to financial support for the construction which is pending there for more than 20 years now?

I think that I have already replied to the question. We have not committed ourselves.

No, no, representations.

No, whether there were representations.

No, nothing at all.

Okay.

May I have a second question?

43

Yes.

May I ask whether he is prepared to receive representations from the MTCC with regard to constructions given that the promise has been made and…

(Interruptions)

Hon. Member!

I maintain…

Hon. Member!

I maintain and that, therefore the subject matter ought to be discussed with them?

The hon. Minister said that there was no promise. You are asking him if he will meet representatives. Maybe you can meet representatives, hon. Minister. Yes?

He must give evidence!

But maybe the hon. Minister can meet representatives, not necessarily for what he says.

Why should we meet if we are not going to…

If nobody asked?

Yes.

But if somebody asks you?

If they ask, yes, of course, we will meet them.

You would meet them. On est à Maurice!

With pleasure, we will meet them, Madam Speaker.

On est à Maurice, on est bien élevé. Allez, now I have a few minutes. Hon. Second Member for Mahebourg and Plaine Magnien, Mr Apollon! MAHEBOURG MARKET FAIR – PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION – EXPECTED COMPLETION DATE