Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the National Social Inclusion Foundation (NCIF) operates under the aegis of the Social Integration Division of my Ministry and is governed by its council. The aim of NCIF is to provide, is to empower and improve the well-being of people living in conditions of poverty and vulnerability through impactful and sustainable stakeholder partnerships. The Foundation is the central body that receives funds collected by the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) in accordance with the legal provisions and the section 50L of the Income Tax Act under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) provision. As per its Charter, NCIF is to allocate funds to non-governmental organisations for the benefit of vulnerable groups to support programmes and projects in priority areas of intervention such as the socio-economic development as the means of poverty alleviation, educational support and training, support people with disabilities, family protection including gender-based violence and environment and sustainable development. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to part (a) of the question, I am informed by NCIF that from July 2025 to April 2026, it has received a total amount of Rs976,058,116. As regards part (a)(ii) of the question, the operating costs for NCIF amounted to Rs162,115,132.52 as at April 2026. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to part (b) of the question, I am informed that there is a well-structured funding mechanism established at the level of NCIF, whereby funds are disbursed strictly to NGOs duly registered with the Foundation and based on projects received following call for proposals launched by the latter. NCIF disbursements, both from funds received from the MRA, and from fund invested as per its reserve and investment policy. Furthermore, I am apprised that a four-tier process is adopted by the NSIF for a rigorous evaluation of projects prior to the approval of fund allocation. The first stage relates to an initial screening constituting of administrative checks. Subsequently, at a second stage, a technical assessment is carried out whereby the proposals received are examined and assessed based on their relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability of proposed interventions. The third stage involves the validation of the technical assessment by the Project Management Committee. Finally, the fourth stage constitutes the approval of the project proposal and funding thereof by the Council. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, for this financial year, as at April 2026, I am informed that an amount of Rs1,58,808,995.50 has been disbursed to 240 beneficiaries, namely NGOs and charitable homes to implement their respective projects and programmes including their operational costs. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, given that the NSIF deals with public money, for the benefit of the House and for public interest, I am tabling the full list of beneficiaries, namely the 240 NGOs and charitable institutions and the amount of fund disbursed by NSIF to the respective entity. I am informed it is the first time that this kind of list is deponed in the National Assembly.

I give you only one question because time is over.

Thank you, hon. Minister for tabling the list. Hon. Minister, given that the NSIF is intended to support social inclusion and vulnerable groups, can you confirm whether any organisation affiliated with major profitable corporate groups has benefited from NSIF funding and how such allocations were justified in light of the foundation’s objectives?

I think this is a very good question. The topic is in discussion on the Board of NSIF. It has been the practice in recent years under the previous Government and Board. This discussion is ongoing. I have my own opinion on it and I will give my opinion to the Board when the Board will take a decision on this issue. It is not a correct practice for me. There is no one with acquired rights under NSIF. Every project has to be analysed and decided on the merits of the project, not as an acquired right. This is my stand.

Thank you, time is over. Hon. Members, the Table has been advised that the following PQs have been withdrawn; PQs B/900, B/901, B/904, B/908, and B/909. Hon. Prime Minister!