Local Mauritius

Guard killed, friend arrested

The body of Vinod Gungadoo, who worked as a guard at a scrap metal factory, was found at Rose Belle on Monday. The 59-year-old has multiple injuries on his body and his face was partially burned. According to investigation, he was burned by Plaine Magnien resident Elapa Sourier, who was drunk at the time of [...]

01 Jun 2011, The Independent Daily

Five pc fall in consumption

At the National Assembly on Tuesday, Suren Dayal, Member of Parliament (MP) quizzed the minister of Finance and Economic Development Pravind Jugnauth on the litres of alcohol sold from January till now. He also asked the minister whether alcohol sales decreased in comparison to last year and following the last increase in excise and other [...]

01 Jun 2011, The Independent Daily

Bookies not to be relocated

At the National Assembly on Tuesday, MP Deerpalsing, quizzed the Prime Minister on whether the high level committee on gambling will consider the relocation of Champ de Mars . Ramgoolam explained that bookmakers are entitled to operate outside the race course or off course, that is outside Champ de Mars. The technical committee has recommended [...]

01 Jun 2011, The Independent Daily

Trade deficit widens at Rs 83 bn

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has released figures of external trade for the first quarter of 2011 and for 2009 and 2010. These reveal that the deficit this year has widened by 15.7 per cent in comparison to last year. Total exports for the year 2011 are expected to reach Rs 78 billion against imports [...]

01 Jun 2011, The Independent Daily

E coli not a threat: MOH

Mauritians have nothing to fear from the outbreak of e.coli as German death toll rose to at least 12 in Germany on Monday in Europe’s outbreak. The assurance was given by an officer of the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life (MOH). “As far as I know, more than 1,200 confirmed or suspected cases [...]

31 May 2011, The Independent Daily

No 27 brings luck to Loto-winning teacher

A former teacher won the Loto jackpot of Rs 41,111,357 on Saturday. The 60-year-old winner, a resident of the south of the island, spoke on conditions of anonymity about his dreams. The lucky winner plans to construct a house for each of his three children and says he will make a donation for orphans. He [...]

31 May 2011, The Independent Daily

Vanilla Islands interests Nordic countries

In line with the promotion of Vanilla Islands, 10 tour operators from Nordic countries, accompanied by representatives of Air France, KLM Denmark, Atout France and Ile de la Réunion Tourisme, are on the island to explore local attractions such as spa, golf and excursions. They also spent three days, May 26 to 28, in Reunion [...]

31 May 2011, The Independent Daily

UBP stone crushing to reduce

The United Basalt Product (UBP) Limited, which boasts more than 58 years of experience in the construction industry, is planning to diversify its activities, export its goods in the region and go green. According to the group director, Jean-Michel Giraud, the society has invested in new equipment to make their system more eco-friendly. UBP is [...]

31 May 2011, The Independent Daily

Minister unveils 3-year ICT plan

The National ICT Strategic Plan (NICTSP) 2011 – 2014 will be made public soon. The plan focuses on the development of a comprehensive broadband policy for Mauritius with a view to making the cost of, and access to, telecommunications services one of the most affordable in the world. This announcement was made by the minister [...]

31 May 2011, The Independent Daily

Singapore President to address special parliament sitting on June 7

President of Singapore Sellapan Rama Nathan will conduct a state visit to Mauritius from June 4 to 7. He will lead a delegation comprising members of the Singaporean government and the private sector. During his visit to Mauritius, Nathan will pay courtesy calls on Prime Minister Dr Navin Ramgoolam and President Sir Anerood Jugnauth. The [...]

31 May 2011, The Independent Daily

Govt wants tobacco-free island

The government is waging a war against tobacco and smoking and the ultimate goal is to make Mauritius a tobacco-free country. This statement was made by minister of Health Maya Hanoomanjee at the launch of activities for World No Tobacco Day at the Octave Wiehe auditorium, Réduit, on Monday . She expressed confidence that with [...]

31 May 2011, The Independent Daily

Parents to go back to school

A total of 25 regions in Mauritius have been identified by the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare to establish an Ecole des Parents (School for Parents). The school will ensure enhanced training for parents that will enable them to manage their lives within the family cell, take better care of their [...]

31 May 2011, The Independent Daily

Ministers discuss water issues with imams

“Government is not waiting till August 1 when Ramadan is expected to begin to take measures to cope up with the looming problem of water shortage. Minister of Public Utilities Rashid Beebeejaun, minister of Housing Abu Kasenally and minister of Labour,Shakeel Mohamed, had a meeting on Monday with the country’s Muslim representatives, mainly the imams, [...]

31 May 2011, The Independent Daily

Court ruling on bail motion on Friday

Bernard Maigrot’s stay in the police cell hinges on the ruling of senior magistrate Sheila Bonomally. This will be announced on Friday. Both the defendant and prosecution parties made their submission to the magistrate following which she adjourned the session. Monday marked one week since Maigrot was arrested on May 23 by the Central Criminal [...]

31 May 2011, The Independent Daily

Fuel tanker docks, fear dispelled

The State Trading Corporation (STC) can heave a sigh of relief. In its analysis report, the Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS) has noted that it did not detect any contamination in petroleum products from Mangalore Oil Refinery. These products were on board the tanker Red Eagle belonging to Betamax. Fears of contamination and explosion expressed [...]

30 May 2011, The Independent Daily

Hawker arrested for sexual assault

The officers of the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT) arrested a hawker, Muhammad Shameem Goolzarally, 28, for allegedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old student. At the District Court of Curepipe he will have to answer charges of abducting a minor and sexually abusing a child. Following the investigation, the culprit has refuted the allegations levelled against [...]

30 May 2011, The Independent Daily

Int’l book fair aims to promote reading culture

The Editions Le printemps held its fourth and final day of the International Book Fair on Sunday at the Rajiv Gandhi Science centre. The event started on Thursday, May 26 to end on Sunday, May 29. On the last day of the fair, various activities such as face paintings, magic sessions Ashnad Sulliman, the assistant [...]

30 May 2011, The Independent Daily

SME explores tourist market

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) organised a trade fair, Innovex, on May 28 and 29 from 10 am to 6 pm at Mont Choisy Football Ground. The aim of the fair is to help local entrepreneurs gain access in the market for goods traded in the tourism sector More than 100 stands [...]

30 May 2011, The Independent Daily

Bappoo urges more women visibility in local politics

Minister of Gender Equality, Child Protection and Family Planning Sheila Bappoo said that women must be encouraged to join politics as they possess the necessary skills. She was speaking at the launch of the Giant Footprints and Gender, Media and Elections report on May 28 at the Municipality of Beau Bassin / Rose Hill. She [...]

30 May 2011, The Independent Daily

Ashok Jugnauth singles out MSM in his attacks

Ashok Jugnauth, theleader of Union Nationale (UN) has criticised MSM ministers Pravind Jugnauth, Maya Hanoomanjee and Showkatally Soodhun with regards to their management. At the Central Committee of the party held on Saturday, he criticised minister Jugnauth who he believes is responsible for the problems of the poor. According to him, development in the country [...]

30 May 2011, The Independent Daily