Sitting of tuesday 15th june 2010

(No. 1B/69)

Mr Guimbeau (First Member for Curepipe & Midlands) asked the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development whether, in regard to the Rs100 m. earmarked for the victims of sale by levy, he will state the amount disbursed as at to-date and the names of the beneficiaries.

Reply: Following the setting up of the Sale by Levy Solidarity Fund to financially assist deserving families who have lost their only residence through sale by levy to acquire a house, an initial exercise to determine potential beneficiaries was carried out from September 2007 to January 2009 and a second one from May 2009 to November 2009.

Out of a total of 421 applications for assistance received, only 49 families satisfied the eligibility criteria for financial assistance under the Fund.

I am informed that to date, disbursements to the tune of Rs12.9 m. have been effected in respect of 38 out of the 49 eligible families qualifying for assistance.  As regards the remaining 11 beneficiaries, an amount of Rs5.5 m. has been earmarked and will be disbursed once negotiations for acquisition of their houses will have been completed and the deeds of sale finalised at the notary.

In 2009, decision was taken to extend financial assistance from the Sale by Levy Solidarity Fund to cover cases of families with a monthly household income of less than Rs7,500 and who were facing difficulties to service their loans following the death or serious incapacity of a wage earner.

In this context, a call for applications was launched in May 2009. 47 additional applications were received, out of which 35 did not meet the income and death/incapacity criteria. As at date, disbursements to the tune of Rs467,000 have been made in respect of 2 beneficiaries. The remaining 10 applications are currently being examined.

It would not be appropriate, as requested by the hon. Member, to reveal the names of either the beneficiaries or of those who have been found not to be eligible for financial assistance under the Sale by Levy Solidarity Fund.