Local Mauritius
1st phase of E-judiciary system takes off
The system “e-Judiciary” which will connect more than 700 lawyers, will be officially launched early next year. Led by chief justice Bernard Sik Yuen and colleagues, this online project is expected to revolutionize the administration of justice and will be beneficial to the entire legal community judges, court clerks, attorneys, lawyers and other jurisdictions. It [...]
22 Dec 2011, The Independent Daily
Sithanen to make counter proposals on reforms
Former minister of Finance, Rama Sithanen is against the abolition of ‘first by the post’ as proposed by the report on electoral reforms written by Professors Guy Carcassone, Vilanova Trias and Vernon Bogdanor. Sithanen, whose PhD thesis is on electoral reforms, is of the opinion that the Carcassonne report does not eliminate the best loser [...]
22 Dec 2011, The Independent Daily
Blok 104 wants snap electoral reforms billBlok 104 wants snap electoral reforms bill
Rezistans ek Alternativ held a press conference on Wednesday at the seat of the FTU, Port Louis. The association gave three months to the government to pass the electoral reform bill. “If at the opening session of Parliament this bill is not tabled, I will go ahead with a constitutional challenge against the rights of [...]
22 Dec 2011, The Independent Daily
Policing Plan for year 2012 released
There was an overall decrease of 11 per cent in crime in 2011. The police will continue its public sensitising campaigns and collaborations with stakeholders to continue the trend. The deputy commissioner of police (DCP), Mario Nobin addressed the press at the police headquarters on Wednesday to discuss the police’s Force Annual Plan 2012 and [...]
22 Dec 2011, The Independent Daily
PM launches SABIO project
In an innovative project, Saint Aubin Ltd is endeavoring to produce products from sugarcane. Products such as bioethanol, bio-fertilisers, rum, molasses, sugarcane honey, industrial alcohol and jaggery and khandasary (special sugars considered better than refined sugar) will be brought out as part of the Saint Aubin Artisanal and Biological Integrated Operations (SABIO) project. Saint Aubin [...]
22 Dec 2011, The Independent Daily
v5,607 children abused in 2011
The Child Development Unit (CDU) of the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare recorded 5,607 cases of child abuse of all kinds from January to December 1 of this year. This is considered shocking by the Ministry of Gender Equality, Development of the Child and Family Welfare. “This is why we are [...]
22 Dec 2011, The Independent Daily
MASA allocates
At a press conference held on Tuesday in Port Louis, Islam Bhugan, acting chairperson of the Mauritius Society of Authors (MASA) stated that Rs 10 million has been allocated for the distribution of royalties to some 800 local artistes for this year. Distribution of royalties started on December 16 and will continue till December 21. [...]
21 Dec 2011, The Independent Daily
Special Xmas, New Year celebrations at Caudan
To mark its 15 years of existence, the Caudan Waterfront has organised special celebrations for Christmas and New Year. “These are important dates for us and numerous events and activities have been scheduled specifically to mark the festivities,” stated Aradhna Boodhoo-Laumond, communications coordinator of Caudan Development Limited. On November 26, the Caudan Waterfront kicked off [...]
21 Dec 2011, The Independent Daily
Rosario Draboucan fined for assaulting minister Bachoo
Charged with assaulting minister Anil Bachoo on August 24, 2007, Rosario Givenchy Draboucan has been fined Rs 5,000. He appeared in the District Court of Port Louis before magistrate Meenakshi Gayan Jaulimsing on Tuesday. He pleaded not guilty to the offense. The incident had occurred in the lunch room of the National Assembly. In his [...]
21 Dec 2011, The Independent Daily
Recycling project to start next year
As from January, a recycling unit for glass and plastic will be operational in Bel Ombre. The project is named ‘Plankton’ and is worth Rs 2 million. This was donated by Heritage Resorts under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme. Every month, the unit will recycle three tonnes of glass bottles and half a tonne [...]
21 Dec 2011, The Independent Daily
PTA Bank invests in Mauritius
During the PTA Bank annual meeting of the board of governors hosted by Mauritius on Tuesday, vice prime minister Xavier-Luc Duval stated that the bank is actively engaged in financing trade and private sector development projects. He added that in Mauritius it has co-financed the Apollo Bramwell Hospital. Duval said, “It is also involved in [...]
21 Dec 2011, The Independent Daily
SIT loses appeal against Jeetun
The Privy Council ruled in favour of ex-chief executive officer of the Sugar Investment Trust (SIT), Jyotee Jeetun and ordered the SIT to pay Rs 8,017,624 plus interest to her. The verdict was given on Tuesday when the appeal of the SIT to not pay the compensation was rejected. Jeetun was laid off in 2005 [...]
21 Dec 2011, The Independent Daily
Scarcity of blood in festive season
The demand for blood has been growing every year, yet fewer people are donating. Thus, blood scarcity is being felt in the country during this festive season. “Summer is a particularly challenging time because many donors are on vacation and fewer companies schedule blood drives. People do not have time to donate blood. We must [...]
21 Dec 2011, The Independent Daily
Boolell asks developing countries to be united
During the international conference on International Trade and Investment, the minister of Foreign Affairs, Arvin Boolell appealed to the developing countries and small states to become a single undertaking. The conference is currently being held from December 19 to 21 at Le Meridien Hotel, Pointe aux Piments. “If all of us stand together and develop [...]
21 Dec 2011, The Independent Daily
12 schools to harvest rainwater
The much awaited rainwater harvesting project in schools will commence in January. Twelve schools in the country will be equipped with collection systems for treatment of rainwater. The project will cover three schools in each of the four education zones. These will collect a total of 100 m3 of water, which will be used to [...]
21 Dec 2011, The Independent Daily
Child minding services to at pre-primary level soon
The holistic development of the child is one of the government’s main priorities. Officials strongly believe that education is an important pillar for sustainable economic growth. In the same context, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources is planning to introduce child minding services in pre-primary schools soon. The rationale behind this measure is not [...]
21 Dec 2011, The Independent Daily
Budget ’11 deficit forecast slashed
Mauritius’ economy is ending 2011 on a lighter note, having been able to reduce the budget deficit to 3.4 per cent against the 3.8 per cent forecasted; public debt is down to 53.8 per cent against the 54.2 per cent prevision and a growth percentage over 4.1 per cent, nearly touching base with the 4.2 [...]
20 Dec 2011, The Independent Daily
Post office offers free e-service for purchase of text books
Mauritius Post recently started its innovative service, Textbooks@mauritiuspost. Through this, citizens can order secondary school textbooks from Form 1 to Form VI at any of the 112 post offices across the island. The service is offered by the Mauritius Post, in collaboration with Antara Bookshop located in Rose Hill. Within 48 hours of orders being [...]
20 Dec 2011, The Independent Daily
Police plans to boost safety during festive period
The Mauritius Police Force (MPF) launched the campaign, ‘With you making Mauritius safer‘ at Line Barracks, Port Louis on Monday in the presence of the deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Mario Nobin. DCP Mario Nobin announced, “The entire staff of the police force will be more vigilant as from December 15 till January 5, 2012.“ [...]
20 Dec 2011, The Independent Daily
National airline introduces Wirecard
Air Mauritius recently set up the Wirecard payment platform for processing all its online payments. Wirecard is expected to boost security of transactions with its comprehensive risk management solutions, which are compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS). The new payment gateway will enable customers to carry out transactions on the [...]
20 Dec 2011, The Independent Daily