(i) the Judicial and Legal Provisions Bill. The Bill makes provision for a number of measures including those recommended in the Report of the Presidential Commission chaired by Lord Mackay relating to the Judicial System and Legal Profession in respect of the Procedure and Rules of the Supreme Court, for the improvement of the administration of justice; and
(ii) the Cane Planters and Millers Arbitration and Control Board (Amendment) Bill. The object of the Bill is to bring into effect the recommendations made by the Committee presided by Justice D.B. Seetulsingh inter alia relating to the change in the apportionment ratio of sugar between millers and planters; and
(iii) the Electronic Transactions Bill, the objectives of which are inter-alia to legalize electronic transactions and communications, validate electronic records and electronic signatures and ensure their security and making rules and regulations aimed at establishing standards to combat fraud, forgery or any unlawful practice.
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2. Cabinet has taken note of the measures being taken to alleviate the problems of sugarcane planters and vegetable growers of the South-Eastern region whose plantations have been severely affected by the recent torrential rains. Sugar cane planters would benefit from a loan of Rs 14,500 per arpent from DBM, repayable over five years with a moratorium of two years at an interest rate of 3% per year, cane planting material free of charge up to a maximum of 4 tonnes per arpent and assistance for land preparation.
As regards the vegetable growers, it is proposed to set up a flood relief assistance scheme whereby each affected planter registered with AREU will be given a grant of Rs 3000 per arpent subject to a minimum of Rs 1500 per planter, together with 2 kg of onion seeds per arpents for replanting.
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3. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the Africa Business Forum 2000 held in Berlin, Germany on 27 – 28 April, 2000. The Mauritius delegation was led by Dr the Hon. Prime Minister who was accompanied by the Minister of Tourism and Leisure and representatives of the relevant Ministries and the private sector. The Forum was attended by high-level representatives from all SADC Member-States as well as of the German Government, the German Federation of Industry, the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the German business community and the African private sector.
On the occasion of the visit, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Embassy of Mauritius in Berlin in the presence of representatives of the German Government, the business community and the diplomatic corps as well as Mauritians residing in Germany.
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4. Cabinet has taken note of the proposal of the Minister of Health and Quality of Life to reclassify Buprenorphine and its salts, the active ingredient of Subutex under the Dangerous Drugs Regulations. The new classification will give more powers to the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life and the Police for effective control on all preparations containing Buprenorphine.
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5. Cabinet has taken note of the proposal of the Minister of Housing and Lands to amend the Rodrigues (State Land and Pas Geometriques) Regulations 1915 so as to grant industrial and commercial leases in Rodrigues for a period exceeding 20 years, as is the case for Mauritius. This Measure will enable a better development of Rodrigues.
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