Parliamentarians have been in recess since yesterday, August 3, following the adoption of the Finance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. They will return to Parliament on October 26. During the Summing-up of the budget debates on this bill, the Minister of Finance, Rengadanaden Padayachy, responded to the criticisms made by the opposition on this bill. He said he is confident that the measures announced will set the tone for robust, sustainable and inclusive economic growth. He argued that we are now in a position to shape the future of the country through the strategy of phased opening of borders and mass vaccination of the population.
“As I have had the opportunity to say many times, immunization is the game-changer. Because of this, two weeks ago we were able to proceed with the first phase of opening our borders. This is an essential step we have taken for economic recovery,” said the Finance Minister.
The number of amendments in the Finance Bill reflects this government’s commitment to the structural reforms needed to put the country back on a strong growth path. Making amendments to some 93 laws is the sine qua non for the implementation of budget measures.
“I say it straight out, implementation is the key to our collective success. Rest assured, we will not stop our efforts to give life to the 350 or so measures announced in the Budget,” said the big money man. He took the opportunity to give some details about the proposed amendments to the Economic Development Board Act. During the debates, the Opposition insinuated that once the amendments were passed, the EDB would become a super-ministry but he argued that the Opposition is wrong. He also said that the measures announced in the construction sector will eventually create a boom in the real estate sector.
At the adjournment of the parliamentary proceedings in the absence of the Opposition members, Member of Parliament Sandra Mayotte addressed the House on the need to conduct an awareness campaign on Shaken Baby Syndrome. Health Minister Kailesh Jagutpal said he has taken note of her request. He added that since 2018, three cases of shaken baby have been reported by public health departments.
