1. Cabinet has reviewed the situation regarding the case of intoxication at the Rose Belle North Government School and has taken note that a Prohibition Notice has been served on Alcodis Ltd, a company which has in some respects been operating its plant in contravention of the conditions of the EIA licence. A strong letter will be sent to the Company which will be required to take immediate remedial measures as recommended by the Ministry of Environment and National Development Unit and the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life. After implementation of these measures, trial runs will be made during weekends to avoid any eventual risk to teachers and pupils of the Rose Belle North Government School and the Prohibition Notice will be lifted only after all satisfactory measures would have been taken. Classes will resume on 8 March 2004.
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2. Cabinet has taken note of the positive response from all quarters, following the demonstration of the Electronic Voting Machines by Bharat Electronics Ltd. on 27 February 2004 at Sir Harilall Vaghjee Hall. Further, General elections will take place in India between 20 April and 10 May 2004. Following consultations between the Electoral Commissioner and the Chief Electoral Commissioner of India, a Mauritian delegation comprising:
(a) two elected representatives of the ruling alliance;
(b) two elected representatives of Opposition;
(c) one elected representative from each of the political parties in Rodrigues represented in the National Assembly;
(d) two representatives from the Electoral Supervisory Commission; and
(e) two representatives from the Electoral Commissioner's Office.
will proceed to India around 8 May 2004 to witness the forthcoming General Elections.
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3. Cabinet has taken note that following the meeting which the President of the Independent Broadcasting Authority had with the Directors of private radios on 1 March 2004, the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister had a very positive meeting with them on 2 March 2004 and has noted they have agreed to exercise control over interventions during live debates and will look into the possibility of introducing a "delay machine" to that effect.
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4. Cabinet has reviewed the situation following the Courts' judgement in the Ralph Lauren Polo case and has taken note that Government through its Embassy in Washington is assisting the local manufacturers of the Ralph Lauren Polo trade mark in their negotiations with Ralph Lauren Polo US for a moratorium to sell out their stock of finished products.
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5. Cabinet has taken note
(a) of the Blueprint on the sustainable development St. Brandon and its surroundings and has agreed to its release; and
(b) that the Prime Minister will lead a delegation comprising inter alia -
(i) the Minister of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources;
(ii) the Minister of Environment and National Development Unit;
(iii) the Minister of Tourism and Leisure;
(iv) the Minister of Fisheries; and
(v) the Minister of Training, Skills Development, Productivity and External Communications
to St. Brandon on 20 and 21 March 2004.
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6. Cabinet has taken note of the Report on the brainstorming session on sports organized recently by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and has agreed to its release. Further, Cabinet has agreed to the setting-up of a task force to monitor the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Report.
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7. Cabinet has agreed that regulations be made under the Consumer Protection Act to provide for international exhibitions (not fairs) to be organized in Mauritius, subject to the following conditions -
(i) the exhibitions should be organized by foreign institutions such as export promotion boards;
(ii) sales should take place only at the end of exhibition and after payment of necessary duties and taxes and there should be a proper control over quantities of goods brought in; and
(iii) exhibitions would be organized only at approved locations.
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8. Cabinet has taken note of the shortage of billets for the manufacture of iron bars and finished iron bars on the international market as a result of unprecedented demand in China. The situation will be monitored on a monthly basis to prevent any risk of breakdown in supply.
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9. Cabinet has, in view of the historical and scientific interest which the transit (eclipse) of Venus, whose 6 hour progression will be entirely visible in Mauritius and Rodrigues during the month of June 2004, represents, agreed to the setting up of an Inter-Ministerial Committee to ensure that this event be given due importance. The transit (eclipse) of Venus was previously observed in 1761 and 1874.
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10. Cabinet has agreed that Mauritius participates in the first Southern African Development Community/Supreme Council for Sports in Africa (SADC/SCSA) Zone VI Games to be held in Maputo, Mozambique from 24 April to 2 May 2004.
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11. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the meetings held in Mauritius from 3 to 7 February 2004, in the context of the launching of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Negotiations for the Eastern and Southern African Region.
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12. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the mission of the Minister of the Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Regional Cooperation -
(i) in Mombasa, Kenya where he attended the Informal Consultative Meeting of African Trade Ministers on 18 February 2004; and
(ii) in Dar-es-Salaam where he attended the 15th Special Meeting of SADC Ministers on Trade and Industry on 27 February 2004.
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13. Cabinet has taken note of the calendar of activities to be organized throughout the year to mark 'the Decade of the International Year of the Family'.
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14. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of the National Children's Council (NCC) Board under the chairmanship of Miss Myriam Narainsamy.
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15. Cabinet has taken note of the position regarding admission of students to Lower VI in 2004 in Sixth Form State Colleges.
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16. Cabinet has taken note that the Mauritius Industrial Authority (MIDA) will be chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Financial Services and Corporate Affairs.
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17. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the mission of the Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunications in Mumbai, India from 3 to 6 February 2004 where he attended NASSCOM 2004.
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18. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of the Executive Committee of the National Youth Council under the chairmanship of Mr. Navin Ramsoondur.
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19. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the participation of the Minister of Education and Scientific Research in the All-Africa Ministers' Conference on Open Learning and Distance Education in Cape Town, South Africa from 1 to 4 February 2004.