Cabinet Decisions taken on 2 July

1. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction into the National Assembly of the Supplementary Appropriation (2008-2009) (No. 2) Bill and the Supplementary Appropriation (2009) Bill which provide for the supplementary appropriation, by programmes, of expenditure incurred in excess during the financial year 2008-2009 and the period 1 July to 31 December 2009, respectively.

2. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction into the National Assembly of the Sugar Cane Planters Trust (Repeal) Bill to repeal the Sugar Cane Planters Trust Act which was passed in 1997 to encourage tea growers to join the Sugar Cane Planters Trust for the cultivation of sugar cane. However, as most of the beneficiaries have signified their intention not to proceed with the project, the Board, in August 2007, decided to dissolve the Trust.

3. Cabinet has taken note that a Ministerial Committee, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Public Infrastructure, National Development Unit, Land Transport and Shipping, has been set up to look into arrangements to be made so that Ganesh Chaturthi festival is celebrated in the best conditions. The Committee would comprise the Minister of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare, the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, the Minister of Arts and Culture and the Minister of Local Government and Outer Islands.

4. Cabinet has taken note that a Ministerial Committee, under the chairmanship of the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Social Integration and Economic Empowerment, has been set up to look into arrangements to be made so that the Père Laval pilgrimage is performed in the best conditions. The Committee would comprise the Minister of Public Infrastructure, National Development Unit, Land Transport and Shipping, the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development and the Minister of Local Government and Outer Islands.

5. Cabinet has taken note that, in line with Government’s policy to promote research and science, the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science, Research and Technology proposes to introduce a Best Mauritian Scientist Award to, annually, recognise and reward Mauritian researchers whose contribution impact on the daily life of Mauritian citizens. The objectives of the Award are to –

(a) promote science, quality research and technology;

(b) upgrade local research competencies for a knowledge-based society; and

(c) encourage technological and scientific development and innovation.

6. Cabinet has taken note of progress in the relocation of the inhabitants of Mare Chicose Village to Marie Jeannie, Rose Belle and that a Committee, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Local Government and Outer Islands, has been instituted to look into all outstanding issues.

7. Cabinet has taken note of the Third Report of the Project Plan Committee, set up under the aegis of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, National Development Unit, Land Transport and Shipping, which assesses public infrastructural project proposals to determine their feasibility and cost benefits. The Committee has recommended 13 projects to the tune of Rs6.6 billion in water and sanitation, energy, road and sport complexes.

8. Cabinet has taken note of the recommendations of the Report of the Committee of Enquiry on the “Mis-allocation of Funds to Former Sand Workers” and agreed to the allegations of mis-allocation of funds of some deponents being referred to the Police for investigation and to an ex-gratia payment to bona fide sand extractors.

9. Cabinet has taken note that Ms Pramila Patten, Barrister-at-Law, has been elected for a third term (2011-2014) on the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The election of Ms Patten confirms the strong credentials of Mauritius on democratic values and human rights among Member States of the United Nations.

10. Cabinet has taken note of the Health Statistics Report 2009 for Mauritius and Rodrigues. The main features of the Report are -

(a) as at 31 December 2009, the estimated resident population of Mauritius and Rodrigues was 1,239,788 and 37,774 respectively;

(b) total Fertility Rate dropped to 1.48;

(c) Crude Death Rate was 7.3 per 1,000 mid-year population;

(d) Infant Mortality, which oscillated between 19.6 to 22.2 per 1,000 live births during the period 1995-97, went down to 13.3; and

(e) Crude Birth Rate was 19.1 per 1,000 mid-year resident population in Rodrigues.

11. Cabinet has taken note of activities that would be organized by the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life to mark the World Population Day, observed on 11 July 2010, viz., -

(a) a workshop on “Data Use for Policy and Planning of Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme”;

(b) talks on adolescent sexuality and teenage pregnancy; and

(c) sensitization campaigns on the promotion of reliable methods of contraception.

12. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent mission of the Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security to Rome where he participated in the Twenty-Second Session of the FAO Committee on Agriculture. The main issues discussed at the Committee relate to:

(a) sustainable crop production intensification through an ecosystem approach and an enabling environment;

(b) soil for food security, climate change adaptation and mitigation;

(c) guidance of the livestock sector; and

(d) policies and institutions to support smallholder agriculture.

13. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent mission of the Minister of Information and Communication Technology to Burkina Faso where he participated in the African ICT Best Practices Forum which concluded, amongst others, that -

(a) African States should commit to share information and fight the scourge of cybercriminality;

(b) each country should implement a Computer Emergency Response Team; and

(c) public-private partnership initiatives should be encouraged to develop strategies to promote cybersecurity.

14. Cabinet has taken note that Mrs Aisha Timol, GOSK, would chair the adjudication Panel of Jury of the Public Service Excellence Award 2009. The Public Service Excellence Award Scheme, introduced in 2005, aims at encouraging innovation and excellence in the delivery of customer-focused and high quality public services.

15. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of –

(a) the Board of Investment with Mr Maurice Lam as Chairperson; and

(b) the Board of Management of the Public Officers' Welfare Council with Mr Devendra Parsad Ruhee, OSK, as Chairperson.

Previous Cabinet Decisions