1. Following the publication of the PRB Report 1998 and PRB (Errors, Omissions and Clarification) Report 1999, Cabinet has decided to set up an ad hoc Committee to be chaired by an independent person, to look into representations regarding anomalies.
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2. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction into the National Assembly of the Finance Bill 1999. The Bill provides for the implementation of measures announced in the Budget Speech and for strengthening and streamlining certain provisions relating to revenue and public finance.
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3. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction into the National Assembly of the Privatisation Fund (Revenue and Expenditure) Bill 1999. The Bill provides for the transfer into the Privatisation Fund of the proceeds from the sale of State-owned shares such as Mauritius Telecoms Ltd. and the use of those funds in relation to certain defined objectives. It is noted that out of the total funds, the major part will be applied to the following –
(i) Skills and Information Technology Development Fund;
(ii) Seed Capital of Road Development Authority;
(iii) Urban and Rural Development Agency Fund; and
(iv) Trust Fund for the Social Integration of Vulnerable Groups.
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4. Cabinet has agreed to the promulgation of the Finance and Audit (Trust Fund for Overseas Treatment) Regulations 1999. The Fund will provide financial assistance to deserving patients whose case requires medical treatment overseas which not available in Mauritius.
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5. Cabinet has taken note that the Ministry of Housing and Lands has identified 10 arpents of land at Ilot, Pamplemousses for the setting up of an Educational Institution similar to the Mahatma Gandhi Institute. The Government of India has earmarked a sum of US$ 1M for this Institution while the Government of Mauritius has already allocated Rs 2 M in this financial year. A Technical Committee headed by the Ministry of Education & Scientific Research has been set up to monitor the implementation of the project. This project was discussed during the visit of the former Indian Prime Minister Sri Deve Gowda in Mauritius.
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6. Cabinet has been apprised that civil works have started for the conversion of the Poudre d’Or dumping ground into a transfer station for domestic waste. The transfer station is scheduled to be fully operational by December this year. Waste received at that station would be compacted and carted away to Mare Chicose Landfill site.
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7. Cabinet has taken note of the composition of the Fair Rent Tribunal to be chaired by Mrs Nirmala Devat-Oogarah, Magistrate, Intermediate Court, which brings into operation the Landlord and Tenant Act 1999 already adopted by the National Assembly.
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8. With a view to harmonizing existing agreements between Mauritius and Madagascar, which is allowed under the ‘Protocol d’Accord’ recently signed between the two countries, Cabinet has agreed to submit to the Government of Madagascar, for its consideration, a revised version of the bilateral trade agreement signed in 1983. The amendment proposed will enable Mauritius to improve its Market access in Madagascar.
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9. Cabinet has agreed to the holding of the SADC Meeting of Ministers responsible for Gender/Women’s Affairs in Mauritius in April 2000.
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10. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the VIth International Meeting of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions which was jointly organised by the Ministry of Economic Development, Productivity & Regional Development, the National Economic Development Council and the ‘Comité du Suivi’ for International Meetings, and held at the International Conference Centre, Grand Baie, on 1 and 2 July, 1999.
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