CABINET DECISIONS – 12 JUNE 2009
1. With a view to further reinforcing the fight against crime, Cabinet has agreed to the introduction into the National Assembly of the DNA Identification Bill, which, inter alia, –(a) empowers the Police, in certain specific circumstances in connection with serious offences, to take and make use of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) samples for the purpose of determining the connection with or involvement of a person with an offence;
(b) provides that a DNA sample can only be taken by the order of a Judge in Chambers unless a person, who is not a convicted person, or who may be connected or associated with an offence, consents;
(c) provides for the establishment of a DNA Data Records, a DNA Population Statistical Database and a database for unidentified or missing persons;
(d) ensures that information gathered as a result of the taking of a DNA sample is treated as strictly confidential;
(e) enables cooperation with foreign law enforcement agencies on matters relating to information in the DNA Data Records; and
(f) provides for the establishment of filiation using DNA pursuant to a Judge’s order.
2. Cabinet has taken note of developments in the implementation of the Land Administration, Valuation and Information Management System (LAVIMS) project, which aims at setting up, managing and maintaining the digital Cadastral System, promoting, developing and contributing to the development of an integrated spatial reference database on land tenure, land transactions and land ownership in line with Government’s policy for land management reform that ascribe value to land and provide an essential mechanism for making rational decision about liabilities, risks and state interventions on land use and planning.
3. Cabinet has taken note that the Minister of Health and Quality of Life would promulgate the Food (Sale of Food on Premises of Educational Institutions) Regulations with a view to prohibiting the sale of certain food items and drinks, considered as unhealthy, on the premises of educational institutions in line with the National Plan of Action for Nutrition as one of the measures to address the problem of unhealthy eating habits in Mauritius.
Experts have observed that unhealthy eating habits, combined with physical inactivity, are the main factors contributing to overweight and obesity. In Mauritius, 7.9% boys and 7.5% girls between the age of 5 and 11 are overweight and 8.5% boys and 7.8% girls are obese; amongst adolescents, 7.3% are obese and 8.4% are overweight.
4. Cabinet has taken note of developments in arrangements being made to accommodate World Cup Fans and in the organization of training camps in Mauritius for high profile foreign football teams in the context of the FIFA World Cup 2010 to be held in South Africa. Cabinet has also taken note that Anjalay Stadium and George V Stadium, potential venues for holding training sessions, would be upgraded to comply with the FIFA Safety Guidelines and other guidelines and instructions for international matches.
5. Cabinet has taken note that, in line with the proposals contained in the document “Towards a Quality Curriculum-Strategy for Reform”, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Human Resources proposes to publish a National Curriculum Framework for the pre-primary sector, which proposes guidelines for a universal set of standards for learning, as well as the development and care that young children should experience irrespective of the type of pre-primary school they attend.
6. Cabinet has taken note that the UNESCO Regional Office for Africa, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Human Resources, would organize an International Workshop (Winter Institute) on Early Childhood Care and Education/Development in Mauritius from 13 to 26 July 2009. The “Winter Institute” is an event planned in the context of the pilot phase of the North-South/South-South collaborative programme 2009-2011 initiated by Mauritius in response to the request formulated by the Association for Development of Education in Africa. The main objectives of the Workshop are to :
(a) highlight and discuss challenges in developing policies and legal frameworks, as well as in elaborating strategies for the successful implementation of young child integrated programming;
(b) revisit programming tools for safety, security and pedagogical norms and standards; and
(c) promote networking with NGO’s, parents and communities.
Participants from Botswana, Ivory Coast, Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Seychelles, Senegal, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa and Mauritius would attend the Workshop.
7. Cabinet has taken note of developments in the setting up of a National Database on Disability, with the assistance of Mr Jeya Veera Pandian, UNDP Consultant, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the main recommendations of the National Policy Paper and Action Plan on Disability.
The National Database on Disability, a fully computerized system, would provide information on the number of persons with disabilities requiring training, in employment and the particulars of their employers, as well as the number of disabled children attending schools, their difficulties, the number of children who are bedridden and other related information.
8. Cabinet has taken note of progress in the construction of the Recreational Centre for Senior Citizens at Belle Mare, which comprises twin-bedrooms capable of accommodating about 200 persons, an administration block and a kitchen/dining room. Works started in January 2009 and the first phase is scheduled to be completed in October 2009.
9. Cabinet has taken note of developments in the implementation of the strategic partnership project for the Cargo Handling Corporation Ltd. The project aims at transforming Port Louis into a major transshipment hub by attracting increased volume, optimizing port infrastructure and improving productivity of the Corporation.
10. Cabinet has taken note of the programme of activities that would be organized by various institutions to mark the Music Day on 21 June, viz., the Ministry of Education, Culture and Human Resources, the Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture, the Centre de Formation Artistique, the Arpège School of Music, the Conservatoire de Musique François Mitterand, the Municipal/District Councils and the MBC.
11. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent mission of the Minister of Youth and Sports to Montreal, Canada, where he participated in the Foundation Board Meeting of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which considered, inter alia, -
(a) enforcement of and compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code for harmonizing the global fight against doping in sports; and
(b) the Athlete Biological Passport Operating Guideline, which would provide an overview of the scientific principles behind the Athlete Passport.
12. Cabinet has taken note that, on an invitation of the President, the Rt Hon Sir Anerood Jugnauth, G.C.S.K, K.C.M.G, Q.C., Swami Ramdev, from the Patanjali Yog Peeth, Haridwar, India, and well-known for his efforts in popularizing Yoga, would visit Mauritius from 23 to 30 August 2009 for a training camp at Gymkhana Grounds, Vacoas. The theme of the training camp is "Health and Wellness for every Mauritian".
13. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of -
(a) Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund Board with Miss Stephanie Anquetil as Chairperson; and
(b) the Mauritius Museums Board with Mr Hassam Gorah Beebeejaun as Chairperson.