Mauritius investigates water tank scheme surcharges
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on ION News
The Mauritian government and the Development Bank of Mauritius will refer suppliers under the water tank and pump grant scheme to the Competition Commission. The aid, capped at 15,000 Mauritian rupees, sometimes comes with surcharges of 2,000 to 6,000 rupees, while some companies have suspended new applications, according to ION News.
Mauritius’s Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities and the Development Bank of Mauritius will refer the surcharges requested by some suppliers under the grant for purchasing water tanks and pumps to the Competition Commission. The announcement was made on 3 November, ION News reports.
The scheme provides a maximum grant of 15,000 Mauritian rupees: 10,000 rupees for two tanks of 1,000 and 500 litres, 4,000 rupees for a pump and up to 1,000 rupees for accessories. Households say they have had to pay additional amounts ranging from 2,000 to 6,000 rupees.
Some suppliers believe the allocation no longer covers current costs. Several companies have temporarily suspended new applications, citing production constraints and the processing of orders already registered, according to ION News.
