are being looked into. Though, Mauritius has already ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities since 2010, it is not in a position yet to remove the reservations under the Articles 9(2)(d), 11, 24(2)(b). Continuous progress is being made regarding accessibility. The Building Control Act 2012 provides for enhanced accessibility to public infrastructure by disabled persons. The Building Control (Accessibility and Gender Compliance in Buildings) Regulations 2017 provide for a universal design requirement in respect of new buildings and building under major renovation. For the granting of the Land Use and Building Permit, a technical sheet of the Planning Policy Guidance (PPC) regarding access for people with disabilities, which gives guidance for the needs/ requirements of people with disabilities. 114. Social housing schemes and programmes of the Ministry of Housing and Lands, provide for preferential allocation of ground floor accommodation for disabled person in respect of highrise buildings. 115. Previously, only children above the age of 15 years suffering from disabilities were entitled to the Basic Invalidity Pension (BIP). This age discrimination was removed in July 2016. As at July 2019, 5632 children suffering from a disability of 60% or more are paid BIP. The rate of BIP as at July 2019 is Rs 6210. If the child is severely handicapped and bedridden, he/she is eligible to a Carer’s allowance which stands at Rs 3000. The rate of both BIP and Carer’s allowance will both be increased by Rs 500 as from January 2020 as announced in Budget Speech 2019/2020. Thus, the rate of BIP will stand at Rs 6710 while Carer’s allowance will increase to Rs 3500. It is to be noted that these rates will be adjusted, if any compensation will be paid for cost of living index in 2020. 116. Persons suffering disabilities of 60% or more and who are bedridden or who need constant care of another person benefit from a monthly Carer’s allowance of Rs 3000. The monthly Carer’s allowance will be increased from Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,500 as from January 2020. It is to be noted that these rates will be adjusted, if any compensation will be paid for cost of living index in 2020. Domiciliary visit which were previously provided to bedridden people aged 75 years and above has been extended to bedridden persons aged 60 to 74 years as from 01 July 2019. Based on the current number of beneficiaries of Carer’s allowance and BIP, it is estimated that an additional 6500 will benefit from this service. 117. Over the past few years, Government has significantly enhanced the universal noncontributory basic pension to the elderly, the widows and persons with disabilities. Between December 2014 and January 2019, the monthly Basic Retirement Pension has increased by 70 % from Rs 3,623 to Rs 6,210. As from January 2020, the old age pension will be Rs 6,710 per month, excluding compensation for cost of living 2020. 39