Parliamentary Proceedings: Rama Sithanen, the NADC, Diaspora Voting Rights, and the SST on the Agenda

After a two-week recess, parliamentary proceedings will resume on Tuesday, October 28, at 11:30 AM. Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam will face a barrage of questions from both opposition and majority MPs.

Opposition MP Adrien Duval will kick things off with a question about the Prime Minister's recent state visit to India. He wants to know who was part of the delegation, specifying each member's official role and the total costs incurred by the government for this visit, including airfare, accommodation, travel expenses, and daily allowances paid to each member.

Duval will follow up with inquiries regarding the compensation paid to former Governor of the Bank of Mauritius, Rama Sithanen. He seeks clarity on the calculation basis for the Rs 5.5 million compensation received upon his resignation, detailing his total remuneration during his tenure and the number of days spent abroad on official missions.

Opposition MP Franco Quirin will then question the Prime Minister about the annual budget allocated to the National Agency for Drug Control (NADC), as well as the monthly salaries and benefits received by its CEO and chairman, alongside the total amount spent to date on other salaries, consultancy fees, and administrative expenses.

Quirin will also raise concerns about the upcoming general elections and the voting rights of the Mauritian diaspora, asking whether the government plans to amend legislation to allow Mauritians living abroad to vote from outside the country.

Drug Control Efforts

On the topic of drug control, majority MP Khushal Lobine will request information on the number of suspects arrested and provisionally charged since January 2025, including how many minors were involved and the amount of drugs seized in cases of illegal use, consumption, and trafficking of synthetic drugs.

He is also interested in the measures being considered to combat this issue, whether a national action plan is in place, and if a debate on the decriminalization of recreational cannabis could be initiated. Lobine will ask the Prime Minister about the introduction of the Freedom of Information Bill in Parliament.

Majority MP Ram Etwareea will focus on state expenses related to the Development Bank of Mauritius Ltd., seeking details on the recruitment policy for 2024 prior to the last general elections, as well as the official missions of the former CEO from 2015 to 2024, including the costs associated with airfare, accommodation, transportation, and daily allowances.

Another question will come from MP Kevin Lukeeram, who will inquire about the consultants hired by former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, asking for their names, remunerations, and the boards they served on from 2015 to November 2024.

Regarding the development of a National Multidimensional Poverty Index (NMPI) for Mauritius in collaboration with the Southern African Development Community (SADC), MP Rubna Begum Daureeawo will question the Prime Minister about the actions taken or planned to facilitate this process.

Majority MP Shridhur Jugurnauth will seek information on the management of the police helicopter squadron, requesting the number of helicopters available, the number of licensed pilots, the possibility of expanding the fleet, the proposed schedule, and the recruitment of additional personnel, including pilots and technical staff.

MP Manoj Seeburn will question the Prime Minister about the early termination of the lease for land intended for the Neotown project in Salines, inquiring about the circumstances that led to the compensation paid and whether it was part of an amicable settlement or a decision by an arbitration tribunal.

Special Striking Team

The now-defunct Special Striking Team (SST), established in August 2022, will also be a topic of inquiry from MP Farhad Aumeer, who seeks to know how many investigations were initiated by the SST before its dissolution, the number of drug trafficking cases, and the number of cases that resulted in cash seizures at the scene or were closed due to lack of evidence.

MP Roshan Jhummun will question the Prime Minister regarding the suspension of social media platforms on November 1, 2024, asking for the reasons, directives leading to this suspension, and its economic and social impacts. He will also request information about the proposed restructuring of casinos in Mauritius and the timeline for its implementation.

A Series of Questions on Health, Environment, and Education

MP Rubna Begum Daureeawo will address Health Minister Anil Bachoo regarding mothers suffering from severe perinatal mental health disorders.

MP Stéphanie Anquetil will ask National Infrastructure Minister Ajay Gunness for updates on the current state of the 300 graves at the Saint-Jean cemetery, damaged during flooding from November 8, 2023, to January 15, 2024. She will also question Land Transport Minister Osman Mahomed about emergency evacuation plans for Saint-Jean Road in Quatre Bornes in case of incidents such as fires, accidents, or medical emergencies.

MP Babita Thannoo will inquire of Agro-Industry Minister Arvin Boolell about measures taken regarding contagious caprine pleuropneumonia cases in goats raised by small farmers in Mauritius.

Education Minister Mahend Gungapersad will be questioned by Rodrigues MP Francisco François regarding measures for students who fail the PSAC 2025 exams. François will also ask about the number of children with special educational needs, whether a study has been conducted to better understand the challenges faced by these children and their families, and the specialized support provided in schools.

MP Franco Quirin will question Youth and Sports Minister Deven Nagalingum about the annual budget allocated for the "Football Revival Project" over the next five years.

MP Roshan Jhummun will ask Commerce Minister Michaël Sik Yuen if measures are being considered to regulate fees and charges in the private healthcare sector, particularly in terms of setting their amounts and preventing collusion.

Adrien Duval will ask Agro-Industry Minister Arvin Boolell for information regarding dog microchipping.

The situation in Gaza will concern MP Khushal Lobine, who will direct a question to Foreign Affairs Minister Ritesh Ramphul.

MP Rubna Begum Daureeawo will also inquire of the Environment Minister about measures aimed at tackling noise pollution from modified vehicles or powerful audio equipment.

MP Babita Thannoo will ask Health Minister Anil Bachoo about the number of patients dependent on synthetic drugs who sought hospital care from 2019 to 2024.