Local Mauritius
JNP wants Mohamed to settle disputes
The Joint Negotiating Panel (JNP) has written to the minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Shakeel Mohamed requesting for his intervention as the National Remuneration Board (NRB) was unable to find a solution to their grievances. JNP points out that in December 2001, the minister had referred them to the NRB over 21 points [...]
14 Jun 2011, The Independent Daily
Singaporeans to address water crisis
Experts of the Singapore Public Utilities Board are expected in Mauritius in two weeks time. This was announced by deputy prime minister Dr Rashid Beebeejaun on Monday in Port Louis, a ministry official said. As mentioned earlier, the government is envisaging a complete reform of the water sector. Following the visit of Prime Minister Dr [...]
14 Jun 2011, The Independent Daily
10 pc water drinkable at Mare aux Vacoas
The situation at the island’s largest reservoir is becoming more and more serious. After Piton du Milieu, the Central Water Authority is now worried with Mare aux Vacoas, which is actually filled at 33 per cent of its storage capacity. Worse, two thirds of this water is muddy and unusable, leaving only 10 per cent [...]
13 Jun 2011, The Independent Daily
IWA brings a taste of India to Phoenix
The Indian Food Fair, organised by the Indian Women Association (IWA) attracted many visitors and a huge variety of delicacies from various parts of India.Dosa, idli, tandoori chicken, Maharashtrian food, pani puri, aloo tikki, aloo chat and Indian sweets were among the delicacies displayed. Apart from the food, another fair for jewellery, cosmetics, textiles, cookware, [...]
13 Jun 2011, The Independent Daily
Diocese celebrates Pentecost
Thousands of pilgrims gathered at Marie Reine de la Paix for the great Diocesan ‘March for the Vocations,’ which was organised on Sunday, the day of Pentecost. “Avek Marie… ouver nou leker ar lespri sin”(With Virgin Mary…we open our heart to the holy spirit) was the theme of the day. The gathering was led by [...]
13 Jun 2011, The Independent Daily
Union awards Urdu students
The Urdu Speaking Union, in collaboration with the National Urdu Institutue held a prize giving ceremony on June 11 at the the Paul Octave Wiehe Auditorium Auditorium (POWA), in Reduit. Muhammad Siddique, Pakistani high commissioner, M Thomas, first secretary and head of chancery of the Embassy of India, minister of arts and culture, Mookhesswur Choonee, [...]
13 Jun 2011, The Independent Daily
Constable arrested for alleged rape of neighbour
Police constable Jean Herve Casimir, 31, posted at the Rodrigues Regional Assembly, was arrested on Saturday for allegedly raping his neighbour, Marie Natasha Angelique, on Friday. The husband of the alleged victim was also arrested by police under a provisional charge of rogue and vagabond. After his wife told him what had happened, he went [...]
13 Jun 2011, The Independent Daily
Bappoo outlines family action plan
Parents who abandon and neglect their children will be prosecuted. This was stated by minister of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare Sheila Bappoo at the Parents’ Appreciation Day held on Saturday at the Glen Park sports complex. The event is an initiative of the ministry in collaboration with the Indian Ocean Centre For [...]
13 Jun 2011, The Independent Daily
Sik Yuen faces new challenges
Michael Sik Yuen, the new minister of Commerce, will reply to a series of questions relating to his new ministerial portfolio, including three on the State Trading Corporation (STC), at the next parliamentary sitting on Tuesday. This will be Sik Yuen’s first challenge as minister of commerce, a portfolio previously held by Showkutally Soodhun. MMM [...]
13 Jun 2011, The Independent Daily
Rare skink saved from extinction
Twenty-one critically endangered orange-tailed skinks have been sent to the UK for a captive breeding programme. This has been made possible through the collaboration of the Ministry of Agro-Industry, scientists of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation (MWF). The animals are now in Durell headquarters in Jersey. Orange-tailed skinks are thought [...]
13 Jun 2011, The Independent Daily
57.6 per cent Rodriguans shun elections
The Rodrigues by-elections which took place between 6.30am and 3.30pm at Baie aux Huitres (Region 4) and at Grande Montagne (Region 6) noted a high level of absenteeism. Only 2,009 out of 4,186 registered voters accomplished their civic duty at Baie aux Huitres, showing an absenteeism level of 52 per cent. At Grande Montagne, the [...]
13 Jun 2011, The Independent Daily
Sugar industry at forefront of economic progress: PM
The sugar industry has been at the forefront of the national development. The contribution of sugar industry in developing the country should not be forgotten. It is through this industry that we have been able to move forward. It is due to this industry that other sectors such as tourism and textile have become the [...]
13 Jun 2011, The Independent Daily
Bappoo plans child protection body
Minister of Gender Equality Sheila Bappoo gave some worrying figures for abandoned children in Mauritius at her ministry headquarters on Friday. Thirty-six cases have been registered for the first quarter of 2011 while figures reveal that 141 children were abandoned in 2010. “Parents just abandon their children and the government collects them like garbage. These [...]
11 Jun 2011, The Independent Daily
Forum on use of animals in biomedical research
The export of Mauritian primates for research made the headlines in recent months. In this context, the Mauritian Cyno Breeders Association (CBA) organised a workshop at Labourdonnais Hotel, Port Louis, on Friday to help participants understand the use of animals, especially Mauritian long-tailed macaques, in research. The CBA is a registered association regrouping all the [...]
11 Jun 2011, The Independent Daily
Forum on fight for freedom in Africa
The Faculty of Social Studies and Humanities of the University of Mauritius (UoM) organised a talk on ‘Why South Africa won’t become Zimbabwe’ at Réduit on Friday . The lecture was hosted by professor Roger Southall, head of the Sociology Department of the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa. Ivan Vosloo, first secretary of the [...]
11 Jun 2011, The Independent Daily
Driver’s guide 2011 on impending law changes
The third edition of the Complete Driver’s Guide, written by sergeant Barlen Munusami, will be released on June 20. The author explains that the booklet is a reference guide to drivers aimed at promoting road safety in Mauritius. The third edition of the guide comprises new information, including impending traffic-law changes and regulation on the [...]
11 Jun 2011, The Independent Daily
Saint Pierre bypass project takes shape
A bypass will soon be constructed at Saint Pierre following the setting up of the Triolet and Goodlands bypass. The project is estimated at Rs 200 million. Construction work will start in September. A senior official at the Road Development Authority, who preferred to remain anonymous, told The Independent that the road would be built [...]
11 Jun 2011, The Independent Daily
18 acres of land identified for new housing project
A number of issues were on the table during the Cabinet meeting on Friday. Among the points raised include the merging of the six cess-funded institutions following a recommendation of the Joint Public-Private Sector Committee . Consumer Bill to be introduced soon The Consumer Protection Price and Supplies Control Bill will be introduced in the [...]
11 Jun 2011, The Independent Daily
Chinese authorities crack the whip on affordable housing
China’s housing authorities said on Friday construction of 10 million state-subsidised apartments must start by the end of November in order to meet this year’s target, calling it a “political mission”. The housing ministry issued the urgent statement after state media said this week that a lack of funding and low profit margins for developers [...]
11 Jun 2011, The Independent Daily
Chellum calls for hike in repo rate
Jayen Chellum, president of the ACIM (Mauritian Consumers Association), is urging the governor of the Bank of Mauritius (BoM) Rundheersing Bheenick to increase the repo rate by 100 points in order to contain inflation rate. The new repo rate, which was last increased by 50 basis points, will be announced by the Monetary Policy Committee [...]
11 Jun 2011, The Independent Daily