the Land Research and Monitoring Unit set up to investigate into cases of alleged land dispossession, he wil…
(No. B/498) Dr. Ms B. Thannoo (Second Member for Quartier Militaire & Moka) asked the Minister of Housing and Lands whether, in regard to the Land Research and Monitoring Unit set up to investigate into cases of alleged land dispossession, he will state if consideration will be given to amending the relevant legislation to empower the Unit to provide support to ongoing land restitution cases as highlighted by the Truth and Justice Commission.
Reply: I am informed that, following the recommendation of the Truth and Justice Commission, a Land Research and Monitoring (LRMU) was set up in July 2019, under the aegis of my Ministry, to carry out in-depth investigations, establish the descendancy of the claimants, offer mediation in cases of dispute and advise claimants, after thorough investigation and enquiry, on the way forward for lodging of cases related to land dispossession. In line with the recommendation of the Inter-Ministerial Committee set up in 2019 to look into the recommendations made by the Law Reform Commission in its Opinion Paper entitled “Mechanisms for Settlement of Land Dispute”, the LRMU took over some 355 cases considered by the Truth and Justice Commission. I am informed that my Ministry provides an all-inclusive financial assistance of a maximum of Rs300,000 to claimants who deponed before the Truth and Justice Commission and whose cases, after investigation by the LRMU, can be lodged in Court. It is to be highlighted that the investigations being undertaken by the LRMU are very complex and time-consuming. I have had several meetings with the officers of the unit and I intend to come forward with proposals, including a new legislative framework if required, to review the functioning of the LRMU. CONTRACTUAL WORKERS – CONTRACT DURATION – MEASURES ENVISAGED