1. Cabinet has taken note that the National Empowerment Foundation Board would construct 29 social housing units in Dubreuil to accommodate the 23 evicted squatters and 6 eligible beneficiaries. Works are expected to be completed in February 2012.
2. Cabinet has taken note of developments in the construction of university campuses at Pamplemousses and Montagne Blanche and an additional campus at Réduit in line with Government’s objective to decentralize tertiary education. Works in respect of Pamplemousses campus are expected to start in 2012. A similar project is envisaged at Rose Belle.
3. Cabinet has taken note of the holding of a Memorial Lecture on the theme “Tagore and Gandhi, Raising the Spirit of Responsible Patriotism” by Mrs Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, on 9 May 2011 at the Rabindranath Tagore Institute Auditorium. The Rabindranath Tagore Institute organizes Memorial Lectures on Rabindranath Tagore annually with a view to sensitizing students, as well as the public, on the life and philosophy of Tagore and assessing their relevance in the fast developing world.
4. Cabinet has agreed to the implementation of a New Comprehensive Grant Formula to finance private-aided secondary schools for the period 2009-2012. The Formula has been worked out taking into consideration, amongst others, Operations Grant, Management Grant, Incentive Grant, Performance Grant, Pre-Vocational Element and New Performance Indicators. As regards Rodrigues, a Rodrigues Element has been considered to provide adequate funds to the private secondary schools there to meet certain specific costs due to their location.
5. Cabinet has taken note that a plot of land at Piton, obtained under the 2000 Arpents Scheme, would be leased to two Cooperative Societies for agricultural purposes in exchange of the State land at Balaclava retrieved from them in the context of the implementation of a tourism development project.
6. Cabinet has taken note of arrangements being made to mark the centenary of the birth anniversary of Marcel Cabon, prolific Mauritian writer born in March 1912 and known for his novel “Namasté” and poems, like “Kelibé-Keliba”. He has also written the biography of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam and many short stories. Mr Cabon passed away in January 1972.
7. Cabinet has agreed to the Law Day being celebrated annually, as from 2012, as a day of national dedication to the principles of Government under law in line with a decision of the World Jurists Association. The commemoration of the Day would be an opportunity to reflect on the role of law in founding a country and its importance for society, to ponder over the legal heritage and to encourage the cultivation of the respect for the rule of law, a fundamental component of a democratic society.
Cabinet has also agreed to 4 March being proclaimed as the Law Day, since the Mauritius Independence Order, giving birth to the Constitution of Mauritius, was passed on that day.
Cabinet has further taken note that the World Jurists Association has recently conferred the following titles –
(a) The Order of Justice to the Rt. Hon Sir Anerood Jugnauth, GCSK, KCMG, QC, President of the Republic, for his contribution to maintain peace in Mauritius and in the world;
(b) The Order of the Rule of Law to Dr the Hon Navinchandra Ramgoolam, GCSK, FRCP, Prime Minister, for his contribution to uphold democracy and the rule of law in Mauritius; and
(c) The Distinguished Lawyer to Chief Justice Bernard Sik Yuen, GOSK, for his contribution in the administration of justice.
8. Cabinet has taken note of measures initiated by the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare to combat domestic violence. In 2010, 263 cases of domestic violence against males and 1,952 against females had been registered. Moreover, it has been noted that many females in the age group between 26 years and 35 years are reporting incidents of domestic violence. In order to combat domestic violence and promote family welfare, the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare has, inter alia, launched an aggressive island-wide sensitization campaign on domestic violence, Pre-Marital Counselling and Marriage Enrichment Programmes, and Strengthening Values for Family Life Programme.
9. Cabinet has taken note that the Agricultural Research and Extension Unit would charge fees from Ministries, parastatals, corporate bodies, as well as private institutions, for certain services offered in the crop and livestock sectors with a view to providing a better service and meeting the demands of stakeholders. Small farmers would continue to benefit from services, such as field/farm advisory visit, diagnosis services, training courses, and demonstration, free of charge.
10. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of –
(a) the Small Planters Welfare Fund Board with Mr Kritanand Beeharry as Chairperson; and
(b) the Cooperative Development Advisory Board with Mr Pradeep Kumarsing Ramdin as Chairperson
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