Fifteen out of one hundred and fifty-one beneficiaries of Bambous Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) Site were remitted their title deeds for a plot of land of seven perches for residential purposes this evening during a symbolical handing over ceremony, held, at the SPARC Sports and Medical Centre in Uniciti, Rivière Noire.
The Prime Minister, Minister of Defence,a Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister for Rodrigues, Outer Islands and Territorial Integrity, Mr. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, the Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Alan Ganoo, the Attorney-General, Minister of Agro-Industry and Food security, Mr Maneesh Gobin and other personalities were present for the occasion.
In a statement, Prime Minister Jugnauth lauded the hard work and long years of service of the beneficiaries while adding that they have largely contributed to the sugar cane industry as well as the socio-economic progress of the country. In a bid to compensate them in a fairly manner, Government has ensured that they receive their plot of land equipped with drainage system, electricity, and water supply as well green spaces.
The Prime Minister underlined that Government will pay the registration fees for the land of all the beneficiaries. He pointed out that Government will ensure that all future beneficiaries of the VRS are provided with a decent plot of land along with all amenities.
Prime Minister Jugnauth recalled that in the year 2000, the future of the sugarcane industry was not bright, and in view to reinvent the sector, the VRS scheme was introduced. Since 2001, some 600 workers of Medine group have benefitted from the VRS scheme, he indicated.
Government, he said has come up with several budgetary measures in favor of sugarcane planters adding that it will continue to implement measures destined to ensure the long-term viability of the sugar cane industry. He also dwelt on the Biomass Framework which he said is very beneficial to planters as it will enable them to earn Rs 3300 per tons of sugar.
The event is an initiative of the Medine group in collaboration with the Mauritius Cane Industry Authority. The remaining beneficiaries will be receiving their title deeds tomorrow at the same venue.
For his part, Minister Ganoo retraced the history of the sugarcane industry and highlighted that it was one of the main pillars of the Mauritian economy. The sector, he said, has greatly contributed to many development in the country. He commended the workers of the industry for their contributions and congratulated the beneficiaries on the acquisition of their plots of land. As for the VRS, he indicated that it has provided some 15 000 workers with a home.
Minister Gobin commended the reform of the sugarcane industry initiated by the Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth in 2001 and spoke of Governmental measures to further boost the sector. He also lauded the Medine group for embarking on several big projects in different sectors namely education, pharmaceutical and health which according to him will help in reshaping the economic landscape of the country.
