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News in brief
- By News On Sunday
- Published 11/13/2009
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EBC proposes review of 10 constituency contours
The Electoral Boundaries Commission released its report on the review of electoral boundaries this week. It proposes changes in 10 out of the 20 constituencies in Mauritius. These constituencies are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 14, 18, 19, and 20.
The changes proposed in the boundaries are aimed at redefining the constituencies to ensure that there is a population equilibrium in each constituency. The EBC takes the following parameters, stipulated in the Constitution, for its exercise: population quota, means of communication, geographical location; population density, and boundaries of administrative areas. “Ethnicity is not the faction in the review exercise,” Yusuf Aboobaker, chairman, EBC, assures the media. If the report is accepted and approved by Government, the recommendation will be implemented from the next elections due in 2010.
The last exercise of boundary delimitation which was carried out in 1999 had entailed modifications in four urban constituencies, and constituency No. 3 (Port-Louis Maritime-Port-Louis East) and constituency No. 17 (Curepipe-Midlands) received 3 200 and 1 933 more voters respectively.
Mixed reactions from different quarters, some bordering on insanity, far-fetched analysis, overlooking the provision of the Constitution and the role of EBC, and ethnicity considerations did not delay to pour in after the report was released.
Airbus A380 arrives
The Airbus A 380, the biggest airplane in the world landed at Plaisance airport at 10h15 on Thursday. Coming from Reunion Island , the impressive plane came to Mauritius in the context of its world tour.
The airbus named ‘Super Jumbo’ attracted the attention of hundreds of Mauritians who crowded around the airport just to catch a glimpse of the greatest flying engine, having an autonomy of 15 200 kilometers, allowing it to fly directly from New York to Hong Kong at a speed of 900 km per hour. Manoj Ujodha, Chief Executive Officer of Air Mauritius, says that the arrival of the plane has created a moment of intense emotions in Mauritius. The plane is leaving Mauritius for Dubayy today, Friday. (See also Page 12)
Sea cucumbers banned.
The collection of sea cucumber (bambara) has been banned for a period of two years. The decision has been taken following depletion of stock due to over-exploitation, illegal collection, and to allow breeding. Sea cucumbers are in high demand and business is flourishing.
Saving Fody
HSBC and the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation (MWF) celebrated the new hop of the Mauritius Fody, a small songbird unique to Mauritius at HSBC House, Ebène city on Thursday. “The aim of the Mauritius Foudy, known as the Foudia Rubra recovery programme sponsored by HSBC since 2003 is to reduce the risk of extinction of this endangered passerine,” says Lone Raffray, the fundraising Manager of MWF. Sandeep Uppal, CEO of HSBC, says the project is to educate the Mauritian population about the country’s wildlife. “
World Cup ladies
The wives of footballers who will be playing for the World Cup 2010 in South Africa will be staying in Mauritius. This was confirmed by the Prime Minister, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, at the annual prize giving ceremony to award the best athletes of the country at La Canelle, Domaine les Pailles, on Wednesday.
Le Clezio foundation
A special edition of the Book Magazine Italiques, was launched in the presence of the Literary Nobel Prize Winner, Jean-Marie Le Clezio, at the Namaste Restaurant, Port-Louis, on Thursday. On the same occasion, Le Clezio launched the Fondation Inter-Culturelle de la Paix intended to promote the different cultures of the world for people's personal enrichment and for the promotion of peace both locally and internationally. He explained that Mauritius, being a multi-lingual country, is well-placed for such types of platforms.
Many other projects like a big conference, an interactive website, inter-cultural educational programs and distribution of fiction books to students of Mauritius and the surrounding islands, are on the agenda.
HR managers
Areff Salauroo, president of AHRP, Association of Human Resource Professionals, announced the implementation of the CPD ‘continuous Professional Development’ for HR Professionals and the introduction
of the ‘Concept of Brand Employer’ during a press conference at Le Labourdonnais Hotel on Thursday. The two concepts are meant to encourage the best management practices in people management.
ICAC clarifies
The Independent Commission Against Corruption denies that the Commission is ever influenced by political powers whenever it starts any investigation. ICAC maintains that it has to follow a set of procedures established since 2006 which does not allow the interference of any one in enquiries going on.
In support of its arguments, ICAC says that 600 case files have been transmitted to the DPP while 65 cases have been filed against those charged with fraud in the Intermediate Court. 305 provisional charges have also been lodged against 140 people. Replying to those who held that the case of stalls in Quatre-Bornes market has been going on since three years, ICAC says that it is completely false. It's only 14 months and a court hearing is scheduled for December 2.
Probe in shady IRS deals
The CCID has started investigation in the illegal sale of real estate to foreigners after MP Cader Sayed-Hossen formally alleged that estate agents, promoters and solicitors are implicated in the fraud.
Sayed-Hossen says there are shady deals for villas in the IRS and that frauds are quite high in the real estate sector.
He also says that offshore companies must be questioned so as to know whether foreign nationals have taken illegal hold of the best land found on the coast of the island as well as inside the country.
The MP, who has made a statement to the police, supports his statement with documents written by notaries who have been conniving in real estate matters.
Cader told the CCID that fictitious enterprises are created in order to take possession of villas at preferential prices.
He also alleges that apartments are being sold at different prices to foreigners and Mauritians.
Around 300 foreigners have violated the law by avoiding to pay taxes on property sold to them and the country has suffered a loss of about Rs1 billion , according to the MP.
Sayed Hossen however says that he has absolutely no problem with foreigners and that he appreciates their contribution to the economy of the country but they should adhere to the law when buying properties.
Diabetes Day
World Diabetes Day will be commemorated in Mauritius by the Patanjali Yog Peeth (Trust), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life, on November 14.
The announcement was made by Nivedita Nathoo, Co-ordinator of PYP at a press conference in Port Louis on Tuesday.
A half day workshop will be organized on that day at the Cyber city 1 conference room from 9.00am to 12.00 to sensitize the population to this scourge that affects one Mauritian on five. The public is invited. Those attending the session must bring along with them their yoga mat, water, a cloth bag to keep their shoes and towel and their own lunch.
Yog Teachers, Doctors, Dieticians will be present to lead talks on food and nutrition for diabetics and preventive measures. Pranayam- a breathing technique and acupressure will be taught to those present . Quoting Swami Ramdev, who recently visited Mauritius, the PYP says “Good health is everyone’s birthright”, that is why the organization in collaboration with the Minister of Education, Human Resources and Culture, Dr.Vasant Bunwaree will be having a meeting to elaborate a plan to introduce yoga in schools as from next year.
Varsity new VC
The nomination of Konrad Morgan to the post of Vice-Chancellor, University of Mauritius, has provoked mixed feelings on the Réduit campus. Many expected a Mauritian to be appointed to the post from a long list of highly qualified and competent locals that includes Professor Sunil Rughooputh and Professor Ameenah Gurib-Fakim.
The new Vice-Chancellor, in an exclusive statement to RadioPlus on Tuesday, said that he did not have any problem in working with Mauritians.
“I have no hidden agenda or least of all any hidden plan. I just want to make out the best from the University of Mauritius. I hope everyone will collaborate with me in order to meet this objective,” he said.
SIMS gets award
SIMS Group of Companies held a press meeting to present its International Star Award for Quality in the Gold Category, at the Labourdonnais Hotel, on Wednesday. It was in the InterContinental Convention Hall, Geneva, that the award ceremony was conducted, on October 26. Mauritius, represented by the SIMS International Trading Ltd, bagged the International Award for Quality, for its specialisation in a wide variety of services on an international level including textiles, marketing & business development, design & marketing, real-estate and property, and training and support. B.I.D International Quality Convention Geneva 2009, organiser of the event, qualified Mauritius as a success in the business world.
The Electoral Boundaries Commission released its report on the review of electoral boundaries this week. It proposes changes in 10 out of the 20 constituencies in Mauritius. These constituencies are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 14, 18, 19, and 20.
The changes proposed in the boundaries are aimed at redefining the constituencies to ensure that there is a population equilibrium in each constituency. The EBC takes the following parameters, stipulated in the Constitution, for its exercise: population quota, means of communication, geographical location; population density, and boundaries of administrative areas. “Ethnicity is not the faction in the review exercise,” Yusuf Aboobaker, chairman, EBC, assures the media. If the report is accepted and approved by Government, the recommendation will be implemented from the next elections due in 2010.
The last exercise of boundary delimitation which was carried out in 1999 had entailed modifications in four urban constituencies, and constituency No. 3 (Port-Louis Maritime-Port-Louis East) and constituency No. 17 (Curepipe-Midlands) received 3 200 and 1 933 more voters respectively.
Mixed reactions from different quarters, some bordering on insanity, far-fetched analysis, overlooking the provision of the Constitution and the role of EBC, and ethnicity considerations did not delay to pour in after the report was released.
Airbus A380 arrives
The Airbus A 380, the biggest airplane in the world landed at Plaisance airport at 10h15 on Thursday. Coming from Reunion Island , the impressive plane came to Mauritius in the context of its world tour.
The airbus named ‘Super Jumbo’ attracted the attention of hundreds of Mauritians who crowded around the airport just to catch a glimpse of the greatest flying engine, having an autonomy of 15 200 kilometers, allowing it to fly directly from New York to Hong Kong at a speed of 900 km per hour. Manoj Ujodha, Chief Executive Officer of Air Mauritius, says that the arrival of the plane has created a moment of intense emotions in Mauritius. The plane is leaving Mauritius for Dubayy today, Friday. (See also Page 12)
Sea cucumbers banned.
The collection of sea cucumber (bambara) has been banned for a period of two years. The decision has been taken following depletion of stock due to over-exploitation, illegal collection, and to allow breeding. Sea cucumbers are in high demand and business is flourishing.
Saving Fody
HSBC and the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation (MWF) celebrated the new hop of the Mauritius Fody, a small songbird unique to Mauritius at HSBC House, Ebène city on Thursday. “The aim of the Mauritius Foudy, known as the Foudia Rubra recovery programme sponsored by HSBC since 2003 is to reduce the risk of extinction of this endangered passerine,” says Lone Raffray, the fundraising Manager of MWF. Sandeep Uppal, CEO of HSBC, says the project is to educate the Mauritian population about the country’s wildlife. “
World Cup ladies
The wives of footballers who will be playing for the World Cup 2010 in South Africa will be staying in Mauritius. This was confirmed by the Prime Minister, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, at the annual prize giving ceremony to award the best athletes of the country at La Canelle, Domaine les Pailles, on Wednesday.
Le Clezio foundation
A special edition of the Book Magazine Italiques, was launched in the presence of the Literary Nobel Prize Winner, Jean-Marie Le Clezio, at the Namaste Restaurant, Port-Louis, on Thursday. On the same occasion, Le Clezio launched the Fondation Inter-Culturelle de la Paix intended to promote the different cultures of the world for people's personal enrichment and for the promotion of peace both locally and internationally. He explained that Mauritius, being a multi-lingual country, is well-placed for such types of platforms.
Many other projects like a big conference, an interactive website, inter-cultural educational programs and distribution of fiction books to students of Mauritius and the surrounding islands, are on the agenda.
HR managers
Areff Salauroo, president of AHRP, Association of Human Resource Professionals, announced the implementation of the CPD ‘continuous Professional Development’ for HR Professionals and the introduction
ICAC clarifies
The Independent Commission Against Corruption denies that the Commission is ever influenced by political powers whenever it starts any investigation. ICAC maintains that it has to follow a set of procedures established since 2006 which does not allow the interference of any one in enquiries going on.
In support of its arguments, ICAC says that 600 case files have been transmitted to the DPP while 65 cases have been filed against those charged with fraud in the Intermediate Court. 305 provisional charges have also been lodged against 140 people. Replying to those who held that the case of stalls in Quatre-Bornes market has been going on since three years, ICAC says that it is completely false. It's only 14 months and a court hearing is scheduled for December 2.
Probe in shady IRS deals
The CCID has started investigation in the illegal sale of real estate to foreigners after MP Cader Sayed-Hossen formally alleged that estate agents, promoters and solicitors are implicated in the fraud.
Sayed-Hossen says there are shady deals for villas in the IRS and that frauds are quite high in the real estate sector.
He also says that offshore companies must be questioned so as to know whether foreign nationals have taken illegal hold of the best land found on the coast of the island as well as inside the country.
The MP, who has made a statement to the police, supports his statement with documents written by notaries who have been conniving in real estate matters.
Cader told the CCID that fictitious enterprises are created in order to take possession of villas at preferential prices.
He also alleges that apartments are being sold at different prices to foreigners and Mauritians.
Around 300 foreigners have violated the law by avoiding to pay taxes on property sold to them and the country has suffered a loss of about Rs1 billion , according to the MP.
Sayed Hossen however says that he has absolutely no problem with foreigners and that he appreciates their contribution to the economy of the country but they should adhere to the law when buying properties.
Diabetes Day
World Diabetes Day will be commemorated in Mauritius by the Patanjali Yog Peeth (Trust), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life, on November 14.
The announcement was made by Nivedita Nathoo, Co-ordinator of PYP at a press conference in Port Louis on Tuesday.
A half day workshop will be organized on that day at the Cyber city 1 conference room from 9.00am to 12.00 to sensitize the population to this scourge that affects one Mauritian on five. The public is invited. Those attending the session must bring along with them their yoga mat, water, a cloth bag to keep their shoes and towel and their own lunch.
Yog Teachers, Doctors, Dieticians will be present to lead talks on food and nutrition for diabetics and preventive measures. Pranayam- a breathing technique and acupressure will be taught to those present . Quoting Swami Ramdev, who recently visited Mauritius, the PYP says “Good health is everyone’s birthright”, that is why the organization in collaboration with the Minister of Education, Human Resources and Culture, Dr.Vasant Bunwaree will be having a meeting to elaborate a plan to introduce yoga in schools as from next year.
Varsity new VC
The nomination of Konrad Morgan to the post of Vice-Chancellor, University of Mauritius, has provoked mixed feelings on the Réduit campus. Many expected a Mauritian to be appointed to the post from a long list of highly qualified and competent locals that includes Professor Sunil Rughooputh and Professor Ameenah Gurib-Fakim.
The new Vice-Chancellor, in an exclusive statement to RadioPlus on Tuesday, said that he did not have any problem in working with Mauritians.
“I have no hidden agenda or least of all any hidden plan. I just want to make out the best from the University of Mauritius. I hope everyone will collaborate with me in order to meet this objective,” he said.
SIMS gets award
SIMS Group of Companies held a press meeting to present its International Star Award for Quality in the Gold Category, at the Labourdonnais Hotel, on Wednesday. It was in the InterContinental Convention Hall, Geneva, that the award ceremony was conducted, on October 26. Mauritius, represented by the SIMS International Trading Ltd, bagged the International Award for Quality, for its specialisation in a wide variety of services on an international level including textiles, marketing & business development, design & marketing, real-estate and property, and training and support. B.I.D International Quality Convention Geneva 2009, organiser of the event, qualified Mauritius as a success in the business world.
Mauritius Rupee Exchange Rate