Local Mauritius
Police cracks down on illegal transport
A police crackdown led by superintendents Gunga and Louison booked 12 minibuses for traffic contraventions on Sunday morning at Britannia. The operation started between 5.30 am and 9m. The drivers were charged with ‘hiring a motor vehicle other than it has been licenced for’, ‘breach of conditions attached to public service vehicle licence’, ‘carrying unauthorised [...]
24 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily
Aditya, Joseph bros earn India tickets
The finals of the Zee Mega Challenge contest was held on October 22 at the J & J auditorium, Phoenix. Aditya Lama was announced winner for the singing category, while brothers, Mathieu and Samuel Joseph were the winners in the dance category. They will be representing Mauritius in Zee Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and [...]
24 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily
Govt counters drop in World Bank ranking
Mauritius has been ranked 23rd globally in the ease of doing business report 2012, which is published by the World Bank. The island lost 2 places compared to its previous ranking last year. In a cabinet decision taken on October 14, the government decided to set up a Joint Public-Private Sector Business Facilitation Task Force [...]
24 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily
Defence questions police inquiry in Lam Po Tang trial
During the preliminary investigation on the murder of Helene Lam Po Tang on Friday inspector Vedanand Jeetoo of the Scene of Crime Office (SOCO) was crossed examined by defence lawyers Rama Valayden, Rouben Mooroongapillay and Arassen Kalee who represent the main accused Sanjeev Nunkoo. They focused on the details and certain inconsistencies in the police [...]
24 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily
President puts emphasis on innovation at Gala dinner
The President of the Republic Sir Anerood Jugnauth attended the third Project Leadership Certification (PLC) Annual Leadership Gala Dinner hosted by Team Synthesis Ltd (Mauritius and Africa), which was held on Friday at Le Meridien Hotel, Pointe aux Piments under the theme of ‘Innovation’. The event regrouped around 450 PLC attendees who are members of [...]
24 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily
3 nabbed with Rs 15 m Subutex
Officers of the Anti Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU) arrested three people including a French national for importing 2,734 Subutex tablets worth Rs 15 million during a controlled delivery operation at Grand Baie on Friday. The drugs were imported by Frenchman Pierre Martin Victor, 57, from Paris for Gino Makinzie Appasamy, 37, from Terre Rouge [...]
24 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily
Budget geared to create jobs
The Parti Mauricien Social Democrate (PMSD) held a political meeting at Terre Rouge on Sunda. Several speakers including party leader, Xavier Luc Duval, Tourism minister Michael Sik Yuen, Maurice Allet and Abbas Mamode addressed the party supporters. The vice-prime minister, minister of Finance and Economic Development, Xavier Luc Duval told the supporters that his first [...]
24 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily
Jugnauth banks on ‘sage’ to save country
The leader of the Mouvement Socialiste Militant (MSM), Pravind Jugnauth said at a press meet on Saturday in Port Louis that a very wise man, ‘a sage’ may come back on the political scene to save the country from the quagmire. He did not, however, give any details simply saying, “Future will tell us who [...]
24 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily
National fumigation campaign launched
The Ministry of Health is working towards the fight against dengue fever and chikungunya. It has launched a national fumigation campaign aimed at eradicating mosquito breeding. This campaign is being done by the health inspectors and other experts in epidemiology from the ministry and other professionals from private firms. Minister Lormus Bundhoo said that there [...]
24 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily
Hike in water tariff not to exceed Rs 30
The maximum increase in water tariff for domestic consumers will be Rs 30. This was stated by minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Dr Rashid Beebeejaun on Thursday at a press conference. These new water and waste water charges include abstraction of ground water and water used for bottling and manufacturing of soft drinks. This [...]
21 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily
MMM councillor calls for municipal elections
The Municipal Council of Port Louis is upside down and there is an urgent need to call for municipal elections so citizens can regain their confidence. This was said by Mouvement Militant Mauricien (MMM) municipal councillor Raouf Khodabaccus, who deplored the municipality’s way of functioning. He underlined that the council is not united. He was [...]
21 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily
PM to inaugurate CCTV cameras in Port Louis today
Prime Minister Dr Navin Ramgoolam will inaugurate a CCTV camera surveillance system and digital radio communication system at the Line Barracks, Port Louis on Friday. The aim is to prevent and detect crimes and monitor the traffic in Port Louis and Grand Baie. The Rs 270 million budget project is being financed by zero interest [...]
21 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily
Ombudsperson against corporal punishment
The Ombudsperson for Children, Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra, is in favour of prohibiting all corporal punishment. She believes that urgent action is needed to fully respect the rights of children. She wants this clause to be added to the new Children’s Bill, which is being prepared. “Despite the provisions of the Education Regulations of 1957, which stipulates [...]
21 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily
Jugnauth’s appeal for cabinet memo access in court Nov 22
The debate on the complaint filed by Pravind Jugnauth in the Supreme Court on October 3 regarding his request for access to Cabinet Memorandum will be discussed on November 22. The case was heard on Thursday morning in front of the deputy master and registrar, Nicholas Ohsan-Bellepeau. The leader of the MSM filed a case [...]
21 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily
Privy Council to hear Rezistans ek Alernative case
The hearing of the group Rezistans ek Alternativ against candidates declaring their ethnicity will be held in front of the Privy Council on October 25 and 26. The legal team represented by lawyers Rex Stephen, Nilen Vencadasamy and Jose Moirt are preparing for the case in London and will be joined by lawyer Michael Ahnee [...]
21 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily
OASIS centre offers hope to alcholics, drug addicts
The minister of Social Integration, Suren Dayal inaugurated the Oasis rehabilitation centre for alcoholics and drug addicts on Thursday at L’Escalier. Also present at the function were minister of Information and Communication Technology Tassarajen Chedumbrum-Pillay, minister of Land and Housing Abu Kasenally, CEO of ENL group, Hector Espitalier Noel and CEO of Omnicane, Jacques d’Unienville. [...]
21 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily
Report on rights of physically challenged by Feb ’12
The report on the rights of differently-abled persons must be submitted no later than February 2012 to the United Nations. The minister of Social Security, National Solidarity and Reform Institutions, Sheila Bappoo has asked the committee to meet this deadline. “We must accelerate our efforts and make a report that gives a good impression of [...]
21 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily
2 Ireko workers in critical state
Two employees of Ireko construction company are still critical. They suffered multiple injuries after a scaffolding at the construction site came crumbling down. They were working at the Bramer House building on Wednesday. Six others are still admitted in the intensive care unit at the Apollo Bramwell hospital. A total of 19 employees were admitted [...]
21 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily
VAT 3 scan-friendly forms take shape
The Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) launched a new version of the VAT 3 form this month. This is used by VAT registered persons to submit returns on a quarterly or monthly basis, depending on their turnover. The new form can be scanned and sent electronically. The data can then be automatically entered at the MRA. [...]
21 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily
Narrow escape for 19 after fall from 11th floor
A scaffolding accident at the Bramer House, Ebène saw 19 workers at the construction site escaping miraculously on Wednesday morning. Two of the victims are gravely injured. Contractor Ireko was entrusted with constructing the 12-storey building to house offices. Around 20 workers were on the 11th floor when the accident occurred at 11.15 am. One [...]
20 Oct 2011, The Independent Daily