1. Cabinet has taken note of the promulgation of regulations under the Consumer Protection (Price and Supplies Control) Act to prohibit traders from exposing alcoholic beverages alongside non-alcoholic beverages.
2. In line with Government Programme to plan the human resource requirements and projections for the short and medium terms, Cabinet has taken note of the National Human Resource Development Plan prepared by the Human Resource Development Council, in collaboration with the Institute of Applied Manpower Research, IndiaThe core objectives of the Plan are to -
(a) estimate the demand for manpower in key sectors, including education, training, labour force, agriculture, manufacturing and tourism, in terms of different skills/knowledge;
(b) match supply with demand of manpower; and
(c ) develop proactive human resource development policies.
The Plan has emphasized the need for quality education, the organisation of top-up courses to complement tertiary education and improvements in education and training to remain competitive and to keep pace with the exigencies of the market.
3. Cabinet has taken note that the number of cases on remand pending trial has been reduced from 868 last year to 474 as at 19 September 2006. There are 400 cases which are pending for less than one year, and it is expected that, by the end of this year, the number of cases on remand pending trial would be reduced considerably.
4. Taking into consideration the changing nature of transnational crime, Cabinet has taken note of a proposal of the Republic of Poland for negotiations of a Treaty on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters with a view to improving the effectiveness of judicial assistance and regularizing and facilitating its procedures.
5. Cabinet has taken note of activities being organized in the context of the International Day of the Elderly celebrated on 1 October 2006. The activities include,
inter alia –
(i) grandparents action group;
(ii) “couple ideale” competition;
(iii) short story writing;
(iv) defilé des costumes d’antan;
(v) folkloric dance;
(vi) literary and cultural programmes;
(vii) quiz competition;
(viii) sports activities; and
(ix) lunch for senior citizens and disabled persons.
6. To mark the celebration of Divali festival at national level, Cabinet has taken note that a popular show would be organized on 2 November 2006 at Anjalay Stadium, Mapou, with the participation of award-winners Indian artists.
7. Cabinet has taken note of the programme of activities organized to commemorate the World Habitat Day on 2 October 2006. The theme of this year’s celebration, as decreed by the United Nations, is “Cities, Magnets of Hope”, and has been chosen to remind all stakeholders that the World is currently witnessing the greatest migration of people into towns and cities. The objectives behind the celebration of the World Habitat Day are to, inter-alia:
(i) remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of human habitat;
(ii) sensitise the world that human settlements require a strong and continued partnership and commitment between Government and all stakeholders; and
(iii) establish connection between human settlement and sustainable development.
At national level, all events would be organized around the theme “The Evolution of Settlements in Towns and their Peripheries” and would comprise inter alia an exhibition and a debate by a panel of expert.