Rs 400M Fund Targets 5 Key Products to Ease Financial Strain on Families

In a move aimed at combating the rising cost of living, the Mauritian government will slash prices on five essential products for a six-month period, effective Tuesday, August 26. The price cuts, funded by a Rs 400 million allocation from the Price Stabilisation Fund, are expected to provide temporary relief to many households struggling with inflation.

The subsidized items include powdered milk, cooking oil, cheese, infant formula, and baby nappies.

Consumers will see specific price reductions for:

-Rs 50 per kilogram of powdered milk

-Rs 15 per litre of Soya Bean oil

-Rs 55 on 900-gram containers of infant formula

-Baby nappies will be 50 sous cheaper per unit (or Rs 25 per packet of 50)

-While processed cheese, including popular brands like Kraft and Bega, will see a Rs 10 reduction.

Expert Opinions on the Measures

While welcomed by some, the long-term effectiveness of the initiative has been questioned.

Suttyhudeo Tengur, president of the Association for the Protection of the Environment and Consumers (APEC), believes the subsidies will alleviate the burden on many households, noting that products like powdered milk and cooking oil are widely consumed.

However, Tengur also pointed out that the impact on products like infant formula and baby nappies will be limited to a specific minority.

He suggested that for maximum effect, subsidies should be more targeted or expanded.

A Step in the Right Direction

Claude Canabady, secretary of the Consumer’s Eye Association, holds a more optimistic view.

He describes the initiative as “a very good one” and believes it will significantly help consumers.

Canabady acknowledged that some products only apply to a small portion of the population but considered the relief substantial for single and divorced mothers.

He is seeing the move as the “beginning of an initiative that is heading in the right direction.”

Source: Defi Media