Africa-Press – Mauritius. The Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Dr Renganaden Padayachy, enumerated key Governmental decisions catered for in the Budget 2022-23, to ensure that essential products are and remain accessible to the population.
He announced that in order to maintain the retail price of “Pain maison” at Rs 2.60, Rs 1.4 billion will be provided for a subsidy of Rs 591.25 on a pack of 25 kg of flour to bakers.
Bakers will therefore continue to pay the bag of 25 kg of flour at Rs 108.75 instead of Rs 700, he said. As for cooking gas, the Minister stated that an allocation of Rs 2 billion is being provided to keep the price of a 12 kg cylinder of cooking gas at Rs 240 instead of Rs 680.
In addition, to maintain the price of rice at Rs 10.80 which is 60 % lower than the actual price of Rs 26.20, Government is allocating Rs 370 million, he said.
The Budget will also earmark Rs 500 million to the State Trading Corporation for it to supply essential products such as milk, edible oil and pulses at a subsidised rate.
Other announcements made by the Finance Minister to enhance consumer protection are namely: The introduction of price control on pasta, wheat cereal, infant food, as well as baby and adult diapers.
The margin for pharmaceutical products is being reduced through a regressive mark-up regime. Products will have to be sold at a discount of at least 50 % of the original price after their best before date but prior to their expiry date.
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