1. Cabinet has taken note of development in the implementation of the Bagatelle Dam Project. The Dam would have a storage capacity of about 14 million cubic metres, with an annual yield of about 24.7 million cubic metres. Works would start in December 2011 and are expected to be completed in December 2014.
2. In line with Government Programme 2010-2015 and for greater equity and inclusiveness, Cabinet has agreed to the review of the Government Scholarship Schemes, also known as the Laureates Scheme, with a view to awarding scholarships to a larger number of students, particularly meritorious candidates from modest income families. The current number of Scholarships will, subsequently, be increased from
30 to 60.
Cabinet has also agreed to the introduction of a new Bursary Scheme comprising eight Bursaries for the benefit of students from families with monthly household income of less than Rs5,000.
The Additional Scholarship Scheme will be reviewed to cater for 30 additional scholarships, out of which 16 will be awarded based on a combination of academic merit and social criteria.
Laureates will be encouraged to undertake their first degree studies in a local tertiary education institution, duly registered with the Tertiary Education Commission, and thereafter benefit from a postgraduate scholarship.
The bonding system, which provides for an obligation for the Laureates to return and serve the country, will be reviewed such that the bonding period is reduced from five to two years. Under the Service to Mauritius Programme, Laureates and beneficiaries of Bursaries will automatically be selected to complete their two years’ service in a Ministry/Department. They will, thus, fulfill the conditions of the bond.
The Bursary Scheme will become operational for students having taken part in HSC Examinations as from 2011.
The new Scholarship Scheme will become operational as from 2012 and applicable to laureates proclaimed in 2013.
3. Cabinet has taken note that a Master Plan for Water Resources is currently in preparation. In this context, water rights would be reviewed and rationalized in order to optimize the use of water resources in the country.
Cabinet has further taken note that the Central Water Authority would promulgate the Central Water Authority (Census of Water Rights) Regulations under the Central Water Authority Act to be able to take a census of water rights in the context of the preparation of an inventory of water resources.
4. Cabinet has agreed to the Policy and Action Plan for the implementation of the Sustainable Public Procurement Project in the context of Maurice Ile Durable concept. Sustainable public procurement is a tool that allows governments to leverage public spending whilst promoting the country’s social, environmental and economic policies. The National Action Plan for Mauritius promotes and achieves sustainable public procurement in accordance with Government’s policy statement and in the following five themes: People; Policy, Strategy and Communication; Procurement Process; Supplier Engagement; and Monitoring and Reporting. Mauritius is one of the six countries to implement the Sustainable Public Procurement Project on a pilot basis.
5. Cabinet has taken note that the Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development (PTA) Bank would be held in Mauritius on 20 December 2011. In the margins of the Meeting, a business seminar for private sector operators would also be organized.
6. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the 33rd Annual Meeting of the International Association of Cancer Registries held in Mauritius from 11 to 13 October 2011. At the Meeting, Cancer Registrars shared latest developments on standardization of data collection and reporting on cancer, and the role of Cancer Registries in cancer control. The theme of the 33rd Meeting was Cancer: Countries in Transition.
7. Cabinet has taken note that the Fifth Council Meeting of the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement between Mauritius and the US would be held in Mauritius on 16 and 17 January 2012. The Council would review progress in the implementation of the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement Work Plan and set the agenda of work for the year 2012.
8. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent mission of the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development to South Africa where he participated in the meeting of the Socialist International Commission for a Sustainable World Society. The Meeting assessed developments on agreements reached since the last Conference of Parties on Climate Change held in Mexico and established the priorities and targets for COP 17 Meeting.
9. Cabinet has taken note that, on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities celebrated on 3 December, the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Reform Institutions would launch a Capacity-Building Programme for NGOs dealing with persons with disabilities, a Disability Watch, a Data base and a Website on Disability, and organize a Job Fair, a Symposium and a Family Day. The Training and Employment of Disabled Persons Board and the National Centre for the Promotion of Employment for Disabled Persons, India, would, on the occasion, sign a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in training and employment of persons with disabilities, mentoring and exchange programmes. The theme retained for this year is Celebrating the Abilities of Persons with Disabilities.
10. Cabinet has taken note that, on the occasion of the International Day Against Violence Against Women commemorated on 25 November, the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare would organize a cultural show and a workshop on Effective Police Responses to Violence Against Women and launch the Africa Unite Campaign to End Violence Against Women, and the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. The National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence aims at achieving gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, enables a coordinated approach in addressing the problem of gender-based violence, and provides guidance to stakeholders in the implementation of programmes and activities in their respective areas of intervention. The theme chosen at national level for the event is From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge and End Violence Against Women.
11. Cabinet has taken note that, on the occasion of the Universal Children’s Day 2011 to be commemorated on 20 November, the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare would, amongst others, hold a Children’s Fair and a Live show/spectacle on the theme Zanfan Moris, Zanfan Lemond, depicting the developmental stages of a child and the value and importance of childhood, at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture. The theme chosen for this year is Célébrons l’enfant Mauricien - Zanfan Moris, Zanfan Lemond.
12. Cabinet has taken note that Mr Sudheer Maudhoo has been appointed Chairperson of the Mauritius Shipping Corporation Ltd.