CABINET DECISIONS – 25 JUNE 2010 |
1. Cabinet has taken note that, following representations made by aggrieved Public Officers to the effect that they be allowed to be assisted by the representative of their trade union when making an appeal to the Public Bodies Appeal Tribunal, Government took up the matter with the Chairperson of the Tribunal who has agreed to their request.
2. Cabinet has taken note that the Prime Minister has, exceptionally, agreed to 3 January 2011 being declared a Special Public Holiday in view of the fact that 1 and 2 January fall on Saturday and Sunday, respectively in 2011.
3. Cabinet has taken note that, in line with the ongoing reform in land administration following the implementation of the Land Administration, Valuation and Information Management System Project, the Minister of Housing and Lands would, shortly, introduce bills into the National Assembly to provide for –
(a) the control, management and maintenance of the forthcoming cadastral system, the allocation of a Unique Panel Identification Number to each plot of land, as well as the establishment of a geodetic datum for Mauritius; and
(b) the establishment of a Land Surveyors’ Board, which would be responsible for, inter alia, the establishment of a Code of Practice, professional standards and ethics for Surveyors and the conduct of investigations into alleged breaches of professional standards and ethics.
4. Cabinet has taken note of the Report of the African Union Electoral Observer Mission, led by HE Mr Khalifa Ababacar Sall, former Minister of Senegal and Mayor of Dakar, on the National Assembly Elections held on 5 May 2010. The report underscores the fact that the success of the Elections is the outcome of the strong popular support for democratic values rooted in the Mauritian society. It also highlights the good organization of the polls, the smooth functioning of the electoral process, the impartiality and professionalism of the institutions involved in the organization of the Elections, the secrecy of the vote, as well as the security aspects pertaining to the holding of Elections and counting of ballots. The Observer Mission has also made certain recommendations, viz. –
(a) the setting up of a mechanism for the financing of electoral campaigns;
(b) the need to better supervise the identification of voters so as to avoid fraudulent attempts through the usurpation of identity; and
(c) improving assistance extended to elderly or disabled voters.
5. Cabinet has taken note that HE Mr S.M. Krishna, Minister of External Affairs of the Government of India, would effect an official visit to Mauritius from 2 to 4 July 2010. During his visit, HE Mr Krishna would pay courtesy calls on the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister and other eminent personalities, and would sign Memoranda of Understanding relating to –
(a) the programme for cultural cooperation for the period 2010-2013;
(b) the supply of an offshore patrol vessel; and
(c) cooperation for early warning arrangement for coastal hazards.
On the occasion of the visit, the National Computer Board and the Standardisation, Testing and Quality Certification Directorate, Department of Information Technology, India would also sign a Memorandum of Understanding to develop cooperation in the area of Information Security and Information Technology, particularly the setting up of an IT Security Audit of complex critical Government Information Systems, such as the Treasury Accounting System and the Registrar General's Department System.
6. Cabinet has taken note that the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare would set up a boutique for small entrepreneurs, a Creativity Centre and a Day Care Centre for Children at Bel Air on the premises of the defunct Development Works Corporation. The Ministry of Youth and Sports would, also, set up a sports complex, comprising a gym and a volleyball cum basket ball pitch.
7. Cabinet has invited the Minister of Industry and Commerce and the Minister of Business, Enterprise, Cooperatives and Consumer Protection to ensure that the benefits following the depreciation of the Euro are passed on to consumers.
8. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent Consultative Meeting of the States’ Parties to the African Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty, commonly known as the Pelindaba Treaty. The main objective of the Consultative Meeting was to initiate preliminary discussions with African Member States on the operationalisation of the Treaty, including the setting up of the African Commission on Nuclear Energy.
9. Cabinet has taken note of activities organized by the Ministry of Business, Enterprise, Cooperatives and Consumer Protection to mark the 88th ICA International Cooperative Day and the 16th UN International Day of Cooperatives observed on 3 July 2010, viz. -
(a) a gathering of cooperators at Octave Wiehe Auditorium;
(b) sensitization campaigns and workshops on opportunities for the cooperative movement;
(c) a drawing competition for students of primary schools and students of Form I to Form IV of secondary schools; and
(d) launching of the Agricultural Cooperatives Ensuring Sustainable Development and Empowering Women Project by the Mauritius Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Federation Ltd.
The theme for this year’s events is Cooperative Enterprise Empowers Women.
10. Cabinet has taken note of the appointment of Mr Prakarmajit Vijaye Lutchmun as Executive Director of the National Agency for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Substance Abusers (NATReSA).
11. Cabinet has taken note that, the Minister of Industry and Commerce would promulgate Regulations to amend the Consumer Protection (Control of Price of Petroleum Products) Regulations to take into consideration the f.o.b. price of petroleum products of vessels loaded during the period 1 to 30/31 of the month with a view to standardising alignment in the computation of the price of petroleum products during the APM exercises.