Madam Speaker, it is an understatement to speak of waste and poor management. The Report of the Director of Audit for the Financial Year 2023-2024 was tabled on 25 March of this year. As in previous years, the report exposed a litany of scandals, highlighting how public funds have been dilapidated by the previous government. The publication of the Report of the Director of Audit cannot continue to be an annual ritual where we take stock of misuse of public funds without any concrete actions being taken to put an end to such a scandalous situation. Madam Speaker, it will not be business as usual! Stringent actions will be taken to ensure a judicious use of public funds where the principle of value for money will be strictly adhered to. In fact, after the tabling of the Report of the Director of Audit, I requested my colleagues to analyse all the issues raised by the Director of Audit concerning their ministries and departments with a view to promptly addressing them. Furthermore, we are already taking major steps to ensure judicious use of taxpayers’ money.

35 First, we are re-introducing the Performance-Based Budgeting based, as I said last time, on outcomes and not on the amount of money spent. Second, we have already announced and taken a commitment to introduce a Fiscal Responsibility Act. Madam Speaker, as stated in the Government Programme, to foster greater transparency and accountability, we propose to make it mandatory for the Public Accounts Committee to look into the Annual Audit Reports with the Accounting Officer in attendance. We will also ensure that the Report of the Director of Audit is debated in the National Assembly and is submitted to the relevant institution for investigation, where appropriate. I will come up with additional measures in the Budget, Madam Speaker.

Yes, you are directly concerned with the Public Accounts Committee!

Yes, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, there is an alarming issue which is recurrent in the reports of the Director of Audit, that is, the non-filing of financial statements by statutory bodies and other entities of the State. May I ask the hon. Prime Minister what he proposes to do, as a matter of urgency, to ensure that government bodies are compelled to provide their financial statements to the Director of Audit within the time frame that the law provides?

This is precisely the point. The law provides for a time frame, but they just ignore the time frame! No action was taken! We will ensure that this is remedied.

Thank you, hon. Prime Minister. Time is up! The following PQs have been withdrawn: B/282, B/283, and B/285. Hon. Members, the Table has been advised that PQs B/307 and B/333 will be replied by the hon. Minister of Land Transport. PQ B/325 will be replied by the hon. Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity. PQ B/334 will be replied by the hon. Minister of Youth and Sports. Now, we proceed with Questions to Ministers! I call the hon. Third Member for Port Louis North and Montagne Longue, Mr Caserne!

36 BUS STOPS – PUBLIC ROADS – PARKED VEHICLES