Madam Speaker, at the very outset, allow me to thank the hon. Member for this interesting question. The suggestion of making it mandatory for newly residential, industrial and commercial buildings to be equipped with rainwater harvesting systems is very relevant. I will explain comprehensively what is being done on this subject. The Building and Land Use Permit, that is, the BLUP, is issued under section 117 of the Local Government Act, which stipulates that every application for a Building and Land Use Permit shall be in accordance with the following enactments and any guidelines issued thereunder –

45 a) The Construction Industry Authority Act 2023; b) The Town and Country Planning Act 1954; c) The Planning and Development Act 2004; d) The Environment Act 2024; e) The Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service Act 2013; f) The Climate Change Act 2020, and g) Any other enactment as may be prescribed. Also, at present, the law does not make provision for the installation of a rainwater harvesting system for major projects requiring an Environmental Impact Assessment, that is, the EIA license, or an approved Primarily Environmental Report, that is, the PER. Proponents are advised to adhere to sustainable principles including rainwater harvesting. I am advised that at present, developers having an EIA certificate or approved PER are being monitored as regards their adherence to requirements. Currently, the Local Government Act is being reviewed. In this context, amendments will be brought to the existing legislation to make it mandatory for new industrial and large commercial buildings to be equipped with a rainwater harvesting system. It will also be mandatory for promoters to include the rainwater harvesting system in new residential complexes. Similarly, existing commercial and industrial buildings will be given a period of moratorium to implement rainwater harvesting systems It is understood that for small business owners and households, it may be difficult to implement a rainwater harvesting system given the acquisition of space and cost. However, a cost-benefit analysis would need to be carried out before making it compulsory for low-income households and small businesses to install rainwater harvesting systems. Consideration is being given to raising public awareness of the advantages of having a rainwater harvesting system. My ministry will therefore work with the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change and the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities to create awareness on the need for each household and business operator to have a rainwater harvesting system.

46 As regards part (b) of the question, I am informed by the Ministry of Finance that grants/subsidies for rainwater harvesting systems have been provided. In the Financial Year 2024-25, an amount of Rs4 m. has been earmarked for the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change to implement the Rainwater Harvesting Programme in 10 schools and 10 NGOs in order to encounter the problem of water stress during times of water shortage. These ten schools and NGOs were selected following an open invitation launch by the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change on 23 January 2025 among schools and NGOs. To implement the rainwater harvesting system for the project just mentioned, a bidding exercise was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change on 23 January 2025 for the – (a) supply, fixing and commissioning of 20 rainwater harvesters, and (b) supply, fixing and commissioning of 16 sets of 9,000 litres rainwater harvesting system and four sets of 5,000 litres rainwater harvesting systems with pre- treatment system with screen basket, piping system for rainwater collection, inclusive of fittings. Opening of bid was carried out on 21 February 2025. Three bids were received and same are being evaluated. The evaluation has been completed in the beginning of April 2025 and the project implementation is due to start shortly. In addition, a scheme for rainwater harvesting system investment allowance income deduction for individuals has been introduced by the Ministry of Finance. Under this scheme, an individual may deduct from his net income the full amount invested during an income year in the rainwater harvesting system to capture, filter and store rainwater under the rainwater harvesting system investment allowance when filling the income tax returns. The scheme includes the election for consultancy, design works, excavation works, gutters and specialised water tanks in relation to the setting up of a rainwater harvesting system. In the case of a couple, the total amount invested may be claimed either by one spouse or in equal proportion by both spouses. The full cost of the rainwater harvesting system can be deducted from the income tax claim. Any unrelieved amount of an income year may be carried forward and deducted against the net income of succeeding years. An assessment of this scheme will be made in the course of the next financial year to determine the uptake.

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Thank you, hon. Minister. We have nine minutes left! The hon. Third Member for Beau Bassin and Petite Rivière! CONSTITUENCY NO. 20 – DRAINS CONSTRUCTION