(Madam Speaker in the Chair) ESTIMATES OF SUPPLEMENTARY EXPENDITURE (2024-2025) BILL & THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (2024-2025) Bill (NO. IX OF 2025) (12.15 p.m.) Vote 3-1 Housing and Land Use Planning was called.

Madam Speaker? Madam Chairperson: I am sorry.

I have a question. Madam Chairperson: Yes!

Yes, Madam Chairperson, with regard to...

(Interruptions)

Madam Chairperson: Come on! Let him speak, please!

But Committee, we can sit down. Madam Chairperson: For Committee? Okay! Thank you for telling me.

Yes, thank you. I would like to know for the construction of social housing units, I see there is provision for 466... Madam Chairperson: Maybe you should allow me at least to go through that and then I will give you time to speak on that item. Is that what you want, is to speak on that item?

Okay. Madam Chairperson: Okay, I was saying the question is that the sum of Rs1,300,000 for Vote 3-1 Housing and Land Use Planning stands part of the Schedule. Now you want to query that?

Yes! Madam Chairperson: Yes, please!

So, I would like to know firstly, Madam Chairperson, for the 466 housing units that have been constructed, can we have an estimate of completion and secondly, the total number of housing units?

(Interruptions)

No, for Committee of Supply you don’t stand up! Madam Chairperson: We are all learning. An hon. Member: No, for Committee, you stand up!

(Interruptions)

Madam Chairperson: Some are not. I am learning. Don’t worry! The Minister will reply. You have finished?

Yes, so, my question is the estimate time and the total completion under that project. Madam Chairperson: Yes, hon. Minister!

Madam Chairperson, there are 466 houses as per the document that has been circulated and for the completion dates, there are different dates there, and I can table the document. But for Solitude, 17 units have already been handed over to beneficiaries. Madam Chairperson: I can’t hear you, Minister. I am so sorry.

That is quite rare! Madam Chairperson: Probably it’s me!

It’s age, I guess! Madam Chairperson: Say it again!

I say it again – • 17 units have been handed over to beneficiaries for Solitude 1. • Melrose – progress status 86%, expected completion date 31 May 2025. • Solitude 2 – expected completion date June 2025. • Henrietta – expected completion date 30 July 2025. • Wooton – expected completion date August 2025. • Sebastopol – expected completion date 31 August 2025. • Quatre Cocos – 31 August 2025, and • Camp Ithier – 31 August 2025. As I have said, it is 466. Madam Chairperson: Okay, let me just clear the issue of procedure. It seems qu’il y a un flottement, parce qu’à l’époque vous étiez toujours resté assis, n’est-ce pas? We just checked. When addressing the House, a Member must stand up. Okay, it’s not a question of Committee of Supply or not, but I am sure that it is because at one point, you were all…

Zot ti pe asize zot ti kokin!

(Interruptions)

Madam Chairperson: Are you happy with the answer, hon. Member?

Yes. Madam Chairperson: Stand up!

Yes, the second question I asked was for the total project of construction... Madam Chairperson: Yes, maybe he didn’t give. Did you give the total?

Because this is supplementary appropriation, I wanted to know how many houses were completed under the whole construction.

Under that particular item, there are 466 houses and the project cost is for Rs1,460,742,759.32 and the total expenditure to date is Rs4,801,828.04. Madam Chairperson: Okay. Hon. Juman, yes!

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. On the same Item … Madam Chairperson: Same Item? Yes.

Yes! Can I know from the hon. Minister, the total amount paid as consultancy fee and if he can table the list of beneficiaries? An hon. Member: La ki ena zafer la!

Madam Chairperson, I do not have the details as far as consultancy fee is concerned but I undertake to table it. However, as far as beneficiaries are concerned, it would not be proper, I believe, for me to table the list of beneficiaries but what I may say is that, as I have stated earlier on, in all those houses, the previous government had pretended that they had been delivering a lot of houses but only 17 out of the 466 have been delivered. Madam Chairperson: 70?

And, out of the 8000 that have to be built, less than 50 have been delivered.

Less than?

50! An hon. Member: Shame! Shame!

So, if the hon. Member wanted to score by trying to obtain an answer that they delivered – in fact, no! They failed! Thank you.

Own goal! Own goal!

You wanted to show that they failed! Madam Chairperson: Anyone else on that Item?

I know you want to fail your partner or your ex-partner. Madam Chairperson: Anyone else? Yes!

Poz kestion enkor do! An hon. Member: Dimann Obeegadoo! Madam Chairperson: Mr Juman! DPM, please! Mr Juman wants to put a question.

Sorry, Madam Chairperson, I do not know if it is right when the hon. Minister said it is not proper for him to table the list of beneficiaries… Madam Chairperson: Beneficiaries?

… because we are in Committee of Supply, we want to know. We have the right to know who the beneficiaries are.

Some of the names!

…what works they have …

Does the hon. Member mean beneficiaries of each house; the 17 houses?

No! No! The consultancy fee.

Oh! That Item! Madam Chairperson: Consultancy!

Sa wi !

So, they would not be qualified, if I may, as beneficiaries; let’s say as service providers. And, I will table the details. Madam Chairperson: You will table that, okay. Not beneficiaries of Houses!

La dan mem zot inn tap plis la! Madam Chairperson: Okay, anyone else? Next! An hon. Member: Copin! Vote 3-1 Housing and Land Use Planning (Rs1,300,000,000) was, on question put, agreed to. (12.22 p.m.) Vote 6-1 Ministry of Land Transport and Light Rail was called. Madam Chairperson: Anybody wants to query? Vote 6-1 Ministry of Land Transport and Light Rail (Rs600,000,000) was, on question put, agreed to. (12.23 p.m.) Madam Chairperson: Il faut essayer de suivre là. Je vais m’arrêter un petit moment, ça me donne le temps de respirer. Et, vous, ça vous donne le temps de poser des questions. Okay? Vote 9-2 Social Security and National Solidarity was called. Madam Chairperson: Questions anyone?

Question, Madam Chairperson! Madam Chairperson: Yes, question! Stand up, please!

Thank you. Madam Chairperson, I would like to know how many beneficiaries are benefitting from child allowance as at now? Madam Chairperson: Fair enough! Yes, hon. Minister!

Yes, I don’t have… Madam Chairperson: Stand up, please!

I don’t have this information right now but I will table the information to the House. Madam Chairperson: Okay, alright! Anyone else?

I have another question! Madam Chairperson: Yes, stand up, please!

Yes, with regards to payment of bad weather allowance, social aid, again, if I may know what is the amount paid and how many beneficiaries – fishermen benefit from bad weather allowance? Madam Chairperson: Bad weather?

So, what is the amount that they benefit from and the number of beneficiaries? Madam Chairperson: Amount and number? Yes!

May I know which number the hon. Member is referring to?

It’s Item 9 –202! Madam Chairperson: That’s it!

The first Item! Madam Chairperson: Social Protection!

Yes, again, I don’t have the information. I will table the information. Vote 9-2 Social Security and National Solidarity (Rs5,800,000,000) was, on question put, agreed to. (12.25 p.m.) Vote 18-1 Ministry of Health and Wellness was called. Madam Chairperson: Yes, Dr. Aumeer!

Thank you, Madam. Just asking for a few details with regards to Item 18- 102 where it says ‘delays in filling of vacancies’, could the hon. Minister give us details of the list of vacancies that are to be filled. And, secondly, in terms of arrears, which type of arrears are we talking about since there had been so much talk about working staff of the Ministry having not been paid overtime? Thank you. Madam Chairperson: Filling of vacancies and payment of allowances, right?

I will give you the answer. It’s so long that I will take a bit of time. I do have it. You know, the reasons for performing overtime, filling of vacancies… Madam Chairperson: There you are, hon. Minister!

Madam Chairperson, there are plenty of vacancies which had not been filled as a result of which, we had to spend enormous sum of money in overtime. A lot of money had been spent because vacancies were not filled and I have got a long list, if I am going to start, it will take time. Madam Chairperson: No, don’t read!

So, I am going to table it just now. A long list of vacancies and as the result of which we had to pay… Madam Chairperson: Overtime!

… a huge sum of money as overtime! Madam Chairperson: Alright! Yes, please. Stand up!

Yes, I had exactly a similar question. I wanted to know how many health practitioners, doctors, are practicing now and how many are needed? So, what it is… Madam Chairperson: No! No! Can’t expect! Come with a question! He can’t do that now!

…the gap that is missing? An hon. Member: Apre to dir to ti enn Speaker!

(Interruptions)

Madam Chairperson: Hon. Juman!

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. On the same Item number, can I ask the hon. Minister, the total amount of overtime due to-date and it dates back to when? Madam Chairperson: Total amount of overtime due to date, hon. Minister?

And it dates back to when?

Thank you, Chairman, I have got atleast 10 pages. So, it will be very difficult…

Call me, Madam Chairperson, please!

Madam Chairperson… Madam Chairperson: I have not changed since last time!

(Interruptions)

Madam Chairperson, I am sorry! I am sorry!

(Interruptions)

So, Madam Chairperson, I have got a long list of about ten pages. It is very difficult for me to read. I am going to table it. Madam Chairperson: Yes, hon. Dr. Prayag!

Madam Chairman…

(Interruptions)

Madam Chairperson: Non! ce n’est pas possible ! Honestly! Be gender-sensitive, please!

Sorry, Madam Chairperson! Would the hon. Minister, kindly, also table the detailed list of the Item 2214005: Medical Disposables and Minor Equipment about the increase in prices and settlement of arears for the additional provisions of the products required? Can we have a detailed breakdown of the products that the prices have increased as well as the settlement in the arrears? We would like to know which products were in the settlement as well as the companies who were providing same? Madam Chairperson: It’s a very tall order for Committee of Supply!

It is about 25-30 pages. I am submitting all. Madam Chairperson: Of course!

It is very difficult for me to read it all. Madam Chairperson: That will help you for further questions later, okay? Are we done? Yes! Vote 18-1 Ministry of Health and Wellness (Rs1,500,000,000) was, on question put, agreed to. (12.30 p.m.) Vote 26-1 Centrally Managed Initiatives of Government was called. Madam Chairperson: Questions? Queries?

Madam Speaker, for the 14th month bonus, I would like to know, to date, the exact number of employees who have not beneficiated and who have not received payment of the 14th month bonus. Madam Chairperson: Yes!

In fact, we said slightly over 90%. So, only 10%. I can give you the exact figures, but this is what it is. Madam Chairperson: 10% have not received? An hon. Member: Less than 10%. Madam Chairperson: Less than, okay. Another one!

Yes, I have a question. I am not sure the hon. Prime Minister will be able to answer in detail for the 14th month bonus. Concerning the 10%, may we know from the 10% that have not been paid – provisions have been made for leveling of fines – is the hon. Prime Minister able to say what actions are being taken to ensure payment?

(Interruptions)

Madam Chairperson: Non, non! Là, on ne peut pas...

(Interruptions)

One moment!

(Interruptions)

This is a matter of policy. It cannot be raised here, I am sorry!

Lakes vid! Vote 26-1 Centrally Managed Initiatives of Government (Rs11,800,000,000) was, on question put, agreed to. The Estimates of Supplementary Expenditure (2024-2025) of 2025 and the Supplementary Appropriation (2024-2025) Bill (No. IX of 2025) were considered and agreed to. On the Assembly resuming with Madam Speaker in the Chair, Madam Speaker reported accordingly.