Mauritian Prime Minister Postpones Scrapping Rs 150 Fee Due to Huge Deficit

The Government has shelved plans to scrap the controversial Rs 150 monthly television licence fee, citing a severe financial crisis at the national broadcaster.

Speaking during Prime Minister’s Question Time (PMQT), Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam revealed that the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) is drowning in a massive Rs 1.5 billion accumulated deficit, making the immediate abolition of the fee impossible.

The decision delays a highly anticipated measure, with Mr Ramgoolam explaining that any move to remove the fee must be balanced against the financial viability of the broadcaster and its duty to maintain public service continuity.

A Heritage of Debt

The Prime Minister disclosed that upon taking office in November 2024, the new administration uncovered a bleak financial landscape at the MBC.

Alongside the Rs 1.5 billion deficit, the broadcaster is saddled with Rs 165.5 million in total debt and an estimated Rs 1.8 billion in outstanding pension obligations.

Responding to queries from Member of Parliament Anabelle Savabaddy regarding the progress of the proposed abolition, Mr Ramgoolam stated:

“The precarious financial situation of the MBC means that the abolition of the licence fee is postponed for the time being.”

The domestic television licence fee has been a fixture of Mauritian life since December 1984 under the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (Collection of Licence Fees) Act.

Automatically tacked onto domestic electricity bills, the Rs 150 fee applies to all households unless they do not own a television.

Low-use households consuming less than 396 kWh of electricity per year are exempt from the fee.

As of the end of April 2026, approximately 28,560 customers benefited from this exemption.

Broadcaster Turnaround and Private TV Pledges

In a bid to rescue the ailing institution, MBC’s new management and board of directors launched a comprehensive transformation plan in December 2024.

The strategy focuses on boosting revenue, growing audience numbers, modernising internal operations, and upgrading content quality.

Current overhaul efforts include rebranding radio stations, introducing new television programming, and implementing crucial technological modernisations.

Despite the financial setback regarding the licence fee, Mr Ramgoolam insisted that wider media reforms remain on the table.

The government is actively reviewing the liberalisation of the airwaves and the introduction of private television stations—a key campaign pledge.

“It will happen,” the Prime Minister promised, reaffirming that the administration remains committed to breaking the state media monopoly.

Source: l’Express