Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for his question. Madam Speaker, the cooperatives sector remains an important pillar of our economic fabric. It promotes collective entrepreneurship, supports livelihoods and contributes to economic activity in areas such as agriculture, agro-processing, retail and services. Madam Speaker, the Cooperatives Division provides a number of schemes to promote and support the development of cooperative societies. These schemes are geared towards increasing productive capacity, supporting modernisation, encouraging sustainable practices and improving the operational efficiency of cooperatives. The schemes available for the Financial Year 2024-2025 were as follows – • The Boost to Local Production Scheme; • The Livestock Farming Scheme; • The Seedlings Production Scheme; • The Zero Budget Natural Farming Scheme; • The Digitalisation Scheme, and • The Waste Recycling Scheme. These schemes are aligned with Government’s objective of strengthening local production, supporting food security, improving access to quality planting materials, promoting livestock farming, encouraging environmentally sustainable activities, and helping cooperative societies adopt more efficient and modern operating practices. Madam Speaker, since I assumed office, I have led particular emphasis on stronger oversight, better discipline in the management of public funds and stricter compliance in the disbursement process. In line with the recommendation of the National Audit Office’s report for the financial years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, my Ministry has put in place reinforced control mechanisms. A Project Steering Committee chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Cooperatives Division has been set up. A Monitoring Committee chaired by the Ag. Secretary for Cooperative Development has also been set up to oversee compliance with the terms and conditions of the schemes before any disbursement is effected. In addition, a Technical Evaluation Committee has been set up to assess the eligibility of applications prior to the release of funds. Madam Speaker, for the Financial Year 2024-2025, following the recommendation of the Technical Evaluation Committee, disbursements were effected to 18 beneficiary cooperative societies under the Boost to Local Production Scheme, the Livestock Farming Scheme and Digitalisation Scheme amounting to Rs3.5 million, Rs600,000 and Rs123,000 respectively. Regarding the remaining schemes, namely; the Seedling Production Scheme and the Waste Recycling Scheme, appropriate clearances have not been received by the cooperative societies for the requested development. Hence, no disbursement has been effected. For the Financial Year 2025-2026, the Cooperatives Division is implementing – • the Boost to Local Production Scheme; • the Seedling Production Scheme; • the Livestock Farming Scheme; • the Zero Budget Natural Farming Scheme; • the Digitalisation Scheme, and • as a new measure, the Energy Efficiency Scheme for Cooperative Societies. The schemes were launched on 27 November 2025. The initial closing date of 13 January 2026 was extended to 30 January 2026. A total of 53 applications was received. As at date, the Technical Evaluation Committee has met on two occasions to assess the applications. The evaluation exercise is ongoing, disbursements will be effected once the project is implemented by the Cooperatives Society and the latter applies for refund to my Ministry. Thank you.

Yes? Okay, hon. Chief Whip! TRANSITIONAL HOUSING – COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL POLICY FRAMEWORK