Local Mauritius

Transfer irks primary school teachers

The Primary Schools Employees Union (PSEU) has been criticizing that the criteria set for the transfer of primary school teachers have not been followed since last year. The union has decided to take some action. They will stage a demonstration in front of the Zone 3 Directorate followed by individual disputes (under Section 68 of [...]

09 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

Parties unveil candidates list

The leader of the Organisation Peuple Rodriguais (OPR), Serge Clair hinted productivity was high on his agenda to create jobs on the island. To do that, the “obsolete education system” should be scrapped and updated, he insisted. “We need innovating and creative ideas to improve the life of Rodriguans,” said Clair.The mindset of the islanders [...]

09 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

Parties unveil candidates list

The leader of the Organisation Peuple Rodriguais (OPR), Serge Clair hinted productivity was high on his agenda to create jobs on the island. To do that, the “obsolete education system” should be scrapped and updated, he insisted. “We need innovating and creative ideas to improve the life of Rodriguans,” said Clair.The mindset of the islanders [...]

09 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

Jellyfish alert at Flic en Flac, La Cambuse

Beachgoers in Flic en Flac and La Cambuse are being urged to look out for potentially dangerous jellyfish by the Ministery of Fisheries. The members of the National Coast Guard (NCG) are on the alert after a jellyfish warning was given during the beginning of this year. “We want to reassure the Mauritian public and [...]

09 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

Leela-Devi returns to politics

Former minister Leela Devi Dookun who was involved in a serious car crash in October last year has returned to political life. She attended the first press conference of the year held by her party Mouvement Socialiste Militant (MSM) on Saturday at Sun Trust Building, Port Louis. She took her frontline seat alongside her leader [...]

09 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

Tenant’s lovers abuse 13-yr-old school girl

A 13 year old Form III student of Loreto Convent, Rose Hill, was sexually assaulted on December 22 by two of her tenant’s friends in Beau Bassin. The young girl was going downstairs to borrow a pressure cooker from the 19-year old lady tenant when the two men grabbed her and then lead her to [...]

08 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

Carcassonne report

Paul Bérenger did not beat around the bush at Saturday’s press conference. According to him the Carcassonne Report on electoral reform is “stillborn.” He commented on the Prime Ministers New Year message before mentioning the municipal elections. He is pushing for the reconsideration of the Sachs report on which the MMM, the Mouvement Socialiste Militant [...]

08 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

Chemo unit operational at SSRN hospital

The Ministry of Health and Quality of Life is going forward with the decentralisation of the chemotherapy service. It will at first be available at SSRN hospital in Pamplemousses from February. A chemotherapy unit at a cost of more than Rs 450,000 has been built with the collaboration of the non-governmental organization, Solaris and the [...]

06 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

Rebranding grips local companies

Lux* Island Resorts (ex-Naiade) was officially listed as Lux* on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius from January 1. To recall, Naiade was rebranded into Lux* on December 1, 2011. The change has been made applicable to all hotels coming under the brand, giving them all a homogenous identity. For example, the properties will now be [...]

06 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

NEF distributes school materials to needy children

On Wednesday, a ceremony for distribution of school material to students was held at L’hôtel de ville Vacoas-Phoenix. The event was organised by the National Empowerment Foundation (NEF). Present on the occasion were Suren Dayal, minister of Social Integration and Economic Empowerment, Sheila Bappoo, minister of Social Security, Solidarity National and Reform Institutions, Stephanie Anquetil, [...]

06 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

Hospitals report rise in gastro cases

The holiday season puts strains on the health sector, as the public eats and drinks in excess while celebrating. The medical staff has had to deal with several cases of gastroenteritis that were registered at hospitals and clinics across the island. In December, 618 cases of gastroenteritis were registered while figures for January are not [...]

06 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

BoM reopens 5.5 pc Treasury Notes

The Bank of Mauritius has announced the reopening of the 5.50 per cent Three-Year Government of Mauritius Treasury Notes due on October 21, 2014 through an auction to be held on January 11. The amount in question is Rs.1.3 billion, but in the event of oversubscription, the bank may accept bids for amounts higher than [...]

06 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

VAT refund for small planters

Small planters and breeders are claiming full value added tax (VAT) refund on agricultural machinery, equipment and tools purchased this year. This measure was announced in the budget last year. The minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Satish Faugoo stated that the above measure is a good initiative to further boost both the sugar and [...]

06 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

NCG rescues 15 at sea

The National Coast Guard (NCG), together with local ships saved 15 people including tourists in the north of Grand Baie on Thursday morning. The crew consisted of 15 persons three Mauritian and 12 foreigners of various nationalities. The ship was cruising towards Flat Island for a diving excursion when it experienced difficulties in the vicinity [...]

06 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

Mauritius on AGOA’s beneficiaries list

Forty sub-Saharan African countries will remain eligible in 2012 for US trade preferences and benefits aimed at improving lives and livelihoods on the continent. Mauritius is one of the leading African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) beneficiaries. Total two-way goods trade with sub-Saharan Africa countries during 2010 was $82 billion. US imports under AGOA amounted [...]

06 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

Rose Hill Transport introduces E-cards

Rose Hill Transport (RHT) recently introduced the Etoile card. It uses the latest technology in contactless cards to provide users with an easy and secure way to make purchases. The contactless technology features an embedded chip and radio antenna that communicates, through radio frequency, with Etoile point of sales allowing customers to complete a sale [...]

06 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

Parents’ clubs to be set up in schools

In a bid to promote more parental involvement in the lives of students, a Club des Parents will be set up in schools very soon. It is widely recognised that if pupils are to maximise their potential, they need the full support of their parents. Attempts are therefore being undertaken to enhance parental involvement in [...]

06 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

706 motorists booked for speeding

Some 706 tickets worth Rs 1.4 million were given out by the police from January 1 to 3 to people who were caught on speed cameras. Drivers were also given tickets for drunk driving. The drivers risk suspension of their driving permit for eight months and a minimum fine of Rs 2,000 and a maximum [...]

05 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

Cell phone imports to be regulated

During the festive period, many people have seized the opportunity to buy new mobile phones, laptops or other electronic appliances. However, many complaints have been registered at the Consumer Protection Unit (CPU) whereby customers expressed their dissatisfaction. They reported that their products are not functioning properly and even lack some crucial parts. According to the [...]

05 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily

Healthcare to be improved in 2012

The president of the Nursing Association, Bagooaduth Kallooa has many expectations in the health sector this year. He is hoping for better communication between hospital staff, administration and the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life. “Communication was almost non-existent between the Nursing Association and the ministry in 2011. Most of our correspondence went unanswered,” [...]

05 Jan 2012, The Independent Daily