`National crusade’ to be launched against poverty – President

As part of its focus this term, the government will launch a “national crusade”  against poverty and this will see a series of measures to cushion the cost-of-living burden especially targeted for the vulnerable, President Irfaan Ali says.

“We will also confront the cost of living head-on. Electricity costs will be cut by half. Water tariffs will not increase. No new taxes will be imposed. We will intervene wherever necessary to shield our people from unfair or predatory pricing. We will boost local food production—including poultry, fish, and vegetables—so that our markets are filled with affordable, fresh, locally-produced food,” Ali declared during his inauguration address to the nation on Sunday at State House.

“We will empower our women, our elderly, and our youth. For women, we will remove taxes on personal health and hygiene products. We will build day-care and night-care centres to support working mothers. We will provide more scholarships and create greater employment opportunities,” he added.

He said that other  measures will  include intensifying the fight against domestic violence and equipping especially women with the necessary skillsets to empower themselves.