(6.59 p.m.) RODRIGUES – AIR MAURITIUS LANDING PERMIT – REPATRIATION OF HUMAN REMAINS Mr J. F. François (Second Member for Rodrigues): Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise to address a matter of concern to the hon. Prime Minister, with regard to Air Mauritius landing permit and the repatriation of human remains to Rodrigues. I am informed that out of the four ATR aircrafts currently in operation, only one, the oldest, is accommodating stretches and coffins. Madam Speaker, an inhabitant of Rodrigues, one late J.C.B., passed away last night in hospital in Mauritius. Although at times, landing permit approval takes time, in this particular case, it has already been secured. However, the family has been advised that the remains of the late J.C.B will now only be repatriated to Rodrigues by Friday or could be later. In some of the instances, delays extend to even more days. One can appreciate the distress and additional burden such delays impose on already vulnerable and aggrieved families in Rodrigues. Madam Speaker, two key issues arise in this regard. First, the difficulty in obtaining landing permits during weekends and delays and second, the delay in the repatriation of human remains within a reasonable timeframe. In most circumstances, such repatriation could and should be effected within 24 hours. Madam Speaker, is it not time for government to consider a special medical service by air? In light of the above, may I respectfully request the hon. Prime Minister to cause his good office to look into this matter with a view to taking the necessary remedial actions so as to ensure a more timely, humane and efficient service for aggrieved families in the future? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes, it causes a lot of distress, I am sure. I can’t understand why. I know there was a problem with the aircrafts; one of them had a hard landing but that does not explain why. So, I will take up the matter with Air Mauritius.

Thank you.

Yes, hon. Ramkalawon. (7.01 p.m.) CONSTITUENCY NO. 9 – LAVENTURE ELDERLY SHELTER – DEPLORABLE STATE – MEASURES Mr C. Ramkalawon (Third Member for Flacq and Bon Accueil): I have a humble request to the hon. Minister of Social Security regarding the shelter for the elderly used by the Laventure Senior Citizen Associations in Constituency No. 9, which is in a pitiful state in terms of its infrastructure, lack of ventilation, rusting of iron sheet and poles, water leakage and others – whether a site visit can be done by officers concerned and needful measures be adopted. Thank you. The Minister of Social Security, Social Integration and National Solidarity (Mr A. Subron): The needful will be done and you can accompany us when we do the visit.

Okay. Hon. Beechook, please. (7.02 p.m.) CWA – WATER CONNECTION REQUEST – FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION Mr R. Beechook (Second Member for Flacq and Bon Accueil): So, Madam Speaker, my request is addressed to the hon. Minister of Public Energy and Utilities qui gère la CWA. Madame la présidente, lorsque ceux qui font une demande de connexion à l’eau courante que ce soit résidentielle, agricole ou commerciale, doivent passer sous un processus. Ils ont besoin de l’approval, de ce qu’on appelle MOD. Et à la suite de la gestion de ce dossier, ils sont appelés à faire une contribution financière. Mais souvent, on se retrouve face à des situations où ceux qui veulent investir dans le secteur agricole que ce soit hydroponique ou la culture vivrière ou même industrielle, ils sont obligés de payer ce qu’on appelle financial contribution. Therefore, I would request the hon. Minister to, first, try to expedite all requests pertaining to agricultural sectors and secondly, if he could levy this financial contribution for all requests for connection related to our agricultural sector because very often, I take this case of one person who wants to have one small hydronic project and he is being requested pay Rs 50,000 as financial contribution. Maybe this bill could be passed on to those people who sell villas at 40 or 50 million rupees but those who are willing to invest in the sector of agriculture.

You are asking to waive it or levy it?

Waive it. I am sorry. Yes. Thank you, hon. Minister. So, can the hon. Minister please waive this financial contribution at least to those requests pertaining to the agriculture sector? Thank you.

Madame la présidente, je vais reprendre l’affaire avec le MOD committee de la CWA.

Thank you. At 7.05 p.m. the Assembly was, on its rising, adjourned to Tuesday 07 April 2026 at 11.30 a.m.