Breeding pig breeders
- By The Rambler
- Published 15th December, 2007
Our compatriots who are in the business of looking after the welfare of pigs are in quite dire straits. In fact, the current African Swine fever has already snatched over 10,000 beasts from pig breeders, and some 500 are on the waiting list.
Although recent tests have shown a declining trend in the spread of the epidemic, the Leader of the Opposition is sounding the alarm of an annihilation of the porcine population of the country in a repetition of the dodo story. In a desperate bid to lure the pig breeders and their friends to his fold, he is holding the Government responsible for the introduction and prevalence of the epidemic in Mauritius.
“The government knew that the epidemic was sweeping over Madagascar. It ought to have taken the necessary precautions to prevent it from reaching our shores” he said.
And he is now claiming a one-off compensation to be paid to breeders for every single pig that has died of the epidemic or that has been slaughtered in order to prevent it from being affected.
Encouraged by this political stand, the Pig Breeders Association is also pushing claims for a compensation. They are already receiving a monthly income support which will cost 35 million rupees to the government.
They are also being given chicks and ducklings to make up for their losses. Land has been put at their disposal for the diversification of their economic activities.
And now there is a solidarity fund which has also been created for them. The list of assistance does not end here. But P.B. and the Pig Breeders want a compensation. As if whatever they are now obtaining is not compensation enough.
It would seem that some people are out to make capital of any calamity that strikes. It will not be surprising if two countries hence, the descendants of today's pig breeders claim a compensation for the
loss incurred by their ancestors.
Free bus rides
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed this week between the Government and bus companies pertaining to the free transportation of students and senior citizens. It will be recalled that this facility has been granted to the beneficiaries in the wake of the 2005 general election campaign during which the Social Alliance party had promised to change the lives of Mauritians in case of victory. Free bus rides was one of the items on the life changing agenda.
But how free is free transportation? This will cost the country some Rs 620 million this year. This sum is being paid to bus owners to carry these passengers “free” in their vehicles. It is therefore high time bus operators understood that if these two categories of users are not paying the fares out of their own pockets, that doesn't mean that they are travelling for free. Somebody, somewhere, is footing the bill.
In fact, it is not the bus owners that are providing the free transport, but the government. Bus operators should once for all stop treating these commuters like beggars who are looking for free lifts in the buses.
Cases are reported everyday where old people are left at bus stops; or are made to face the callousness of drivers who start moving their vehicles before the senior citizen is seated; or have to suffer the humility of ill-bred conductors who use all sorts of rough language towards them. These drivers and conductors must realize that they are paid to do a job and it would be in their own interest to see to it that the job is well done.
We don't believe they treat elders at their own homes in the same manner. They should also keep this well in mind that they too are likely to become old some day and they would expect to be treated with due respect.
Although recent tests have shown a declining trend in the spread of the epidemic, the Leader of the Opposition is sounding the alarm of an annihilation of the porcine population of the country in a repetition of the dodo story. In a desperate bid to lure the pig breeders and their friends to his fold, he is holding the Government responsible for the introduction and prevalence of the epidemic in Mauritius.
“The government knew that the epidemic was sweeping over Madagascar. It ought to have taken the necessary precautions to prevent it from reaching our shores” he said.
And he is now claiming a one-off compensation to be paid to breeders for every single pig that has died of the epidemic or that has been slaughtered in order to prevent it from being affected.
Encouraged by this political stand, the Pig Breeders Association is also pushing claims for a compensation. They are already receiving a monthly income support which will cost 35 million rupees to the government.
They are also being given chicks and ducklings to make up for their losses. Land has been put at their disposal for the diversification of their economic activities.
And now there is a solidarity fund which has also been created for them. The list of assistance does not end here. But P.B. and the Pig Breeders want a compensation. As if whatever they are now obtaining is not compensation enough.
It would seem that some people are out to make capital of any calamity that strikes. It will not be surprising if two countries hence, the descendants of today's pig breeders claim a compensation for the
Free bus rides
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed this week between the Government and bus companies pertaining to the free transportation of students and senior citizens. It will be recalled that this facility has been granted to the beneficiaries in the wake of the 2005 general election campaign during which the Social Alliance party had promised to change the lives of Mauritians in case of victory. Free bus rides was one of the items on the life changing agenda.
But how free is free transportation? This will cost the country some Rs 620 million this year. This sum is being paid to bus owners to carry these passengers “free” in their vehicles. It is therefore high time bus operators understood that if these two categories of users are not paying the fares out of their own pockets, that doesn't mean that they are travelling for free. Somebody, somewhere, is footing the bill.
In fact, it is not the bus owners that are providing the free transport, but the government. Bus operators should once for all stop treating these commuters like beggars who are looking for free lifts in the buses.
Cases are reported everyday where old people are left at bus stops; or are made to face the callousness of drivers who start moving their vehicles before the senior citizen is seated; or have to suffer the humility of ill-bred conductors who use all sorts of rough language towards them. These drivers and conductors must realize that they are paid to do a job and it would be in their own interest to see to it that the job is well done.
We don't believe they treat elders at their own homes in the same manner. They should also keep this well in mind that they too are likely to become old some day and they would expect to be treated with due respect.
