● Why has the Independent commission against corruption (Icac) opened an enquiry on the sale of flats of the National Housing Development Company (NHDC)?

After allegations by Ashock Jugnauth that employees? children purchased flats of the NHDC, other irregularities have been revealed. Some of the purchasers do not pay their monthly instalments despite the fact that some earn about Rs 40,000. So, the general director of the company, Shameem Peerally, has put all information available at Icac?s disposal.

● Will the Icac take any action?

The Icac wants to gather all necessary information before questioning anyone. They are examining all the files very closely at the moment. The ministry of Lands and Housing, as well as some NHDC employees, would like that the ones concerned about the allegations step down until the end of the enquiry.

● Why shouldn?t executives of the company or their children purchase NHDC houses?

It is considered as an abuse of power in some cases because these executives were informed of all the details concerning the flats and may have used them to make sure they would be the ones to obtain the house at an affordable price. For the Lands and Housing minister, it is clear that ?some employees must have been favoured?.

● What are the criteria to purchase an NHDC house?

The person asking for such housing should be of age and must not possess a house or a plot of land.