Parliamentarians once more made their way to the National Assembly on Tuesday 29 March after three months of holidays. The Speaker Mrs Maya Hanoomanjee announced the presence of a delegation of parliamentarians from the State of Gauteng of South Africa who are here on a study tour; the election of Deputy Speaker Adrien Duval at the Inter-Parliamentary Union which includes 48 African States and progress made in preparations for the live broadcast of debates.
The start of the session with the Private Notice Question of the leader of the opposition put to the prime minister on circumstances leading to the stepping down of the former minister of the environment Raj Dayal. During six minutes, there were fierce exchanges between both sides of the House in spite of the presence of foreign guests. Even the threat of suspension of the proceedings did not calm down the members.
The PNQ was based on the stepping down of former environment minister Raj Dayal following an investigation by ICAC into allegations of solicitation. In his reply the prime minister stated that he took cognizance, through the media, of the broadcast of a recorded conversation presumably between the former minister and one Patrick Soobhany. From the conversation, it appeared that the voice purporting to be Raj Dayal asked for a gratification from Soobhany.
“In view of the seriousness of the allegations, I convened Honourable Dayal and the Senior Chief Executive of the Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development and Disaster and Beach Management in my Office on 23 March 2016, and I requested the former to temporarily step down as Minister pending the completion of the enquiry by ICAC, so as to ensure that ICAC has full latitude to conduct its enquiry.
I am not aware of any threat or pressure being exerted on Mr Soobhany or any journalist involved in the radio broadcast and the Commissioner of Police has confirmed that no declaration has been made to the Police in this regard,” said Sir Anerood Jugnauth.
He added that he wants Mauritius to develop a culture of integrity and honesty. To that end, he will not condone or tolerate anybody or any act that puts at stake the reputation of the country and of its institutions. “Whoever errs will be dealt with by the appropriate independent institutions so that justice and truth prevail. I wish to emphasise that there will be no cover-up,” stated the prime minister.
Regarding the decision taken by the commissioner of police not to arrest Raj Dayal, the prime minister stated: “Based on the fact that the former Minister had not yet completed his statement to ICAC, the Commissioner of Police requested the Investigators to come back when the former Minister would have given his full statement and to provide further information to sustain the arrest, as is the normal practice.”
Hence, the request of ICAC for the arrest and lodging of provisional charge against the former minister could not be entertained at that point in time. “At no point in time did the Commissioner of Police turn down the request of ICAC for arrest and lodging of provisional charge,” said Sir Anerood Jugnauth.
The start of the session with the Private Notice Question of the leader of the opposition put to the prime minister on circumstances leading to the stepping down of the former minister of the environment Raj Dayal. During six minutes, there were fierce exchanges between both sides of the House in spite of the presence of foreign guests. Even the threat of suspension of the proceedings did not calm down the members.
The PNQ was based on the stepping down of former environment minister Raj Dayal following an investigation by ICAC into allegations of solicitation. In his reply the prime minister stated that he took cognizance, through the media, of the broadcast of a recorded conversation presumably between the former minister and one Patrick Soobhany. From the conversation, it appeared that the voice purporting to be Raj Dayal asked for a gratification from Soobhany.
“In view of the seriousness of the allegations, I convened Honourable Dayal and the Senior Chief Executive of the Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development and Disaster and Beach Management in my Office on 23 March 2016, and I requested the former to temporarily step down as Minister pending the completion of the enquiry by ICAC, so as to ensure that ICAC has full latitude to conduct its enquiry.
I am not aware of any threat or pressure being exerted on Mr Soobhany or any journalist involved in the radio broadcast and the Commissioner of Police has confirmed that no declaration has been made to the Police in this regard,” said Sir Anerood Jugnauth.
He added that he wants Mauritius to develop a culture of integrity and honesty. To that end, he will not condone or tolerate anybody or any act that puts at stake the reputation of the country and of its institutions. “Whoever errs will be dealt with by the appropriate independent institutions so that justice and truth prevail. I wish to emphasise that there will be no cover-up,” stated the prime minister.
Regarding the decision taken by the commissioner of police not to arrest Raj Dayal, the prime minister stated: “Based on the fact that the former Minister had not yet completed his statement to ICAC, the Commissioner of Police requested the Investigators to come back when the former Minister would have given his full statement and to provide further information to sustain the arrest, as is the normal practice.”
Hence, the request of ICAC for the arrest and lodging of provisional charge against the former minister could not be entertained at that point in time. “At no point in time did the Commissioner of Police turn down the request of ICAC for arrest and lodging of provisional charge,” said Sir Anerood Jugnauth.
Road accidents: New measures announced
Opposition MPs Raffick Sorefan and Adil Ameer Meea put through questions regarding the number of road accidents, their causes and preventive measures taken. In his reply the Prime Minister said that from January 2014 to 24 March 2016, there have been 931 accidents in which the drivers/riders were under the influence of alcohol, out of which 13 resulted in fatal accidents.
During that period, 37 fatal road accidents have been reported to the police in which 39 persons have lost their lives. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the causes of the accidents include speeding, non-observation of traffic signs, using mobile phones while driving, heedless crossing of the road by pedestrians, drunken driving and dangerous driving.
In view of the increasing number of road accidents, two additional measures have been implemented to curb down the trend since the beginning of this year:
Wrong Alert This new session started with a wrong move from elected members. At the start of the working session, it was formerly the tradition that there is a ringing bell so as to call members to resume their seat. Such a practice stopped for some time. The Speaker had it re-established. When members heard the bell, they all rose to their feet including the Leader of the Opposition. They took no time to realise that it was a false alert and sat down again. When the sergeant at arms announced the arrival of the Speaker they stood up again… but with roaring laughter. Where is my seat? The former minister of the environment was among the first to get in. No one was there to help Raj Dayal resume his new seat after he stepped down as minister. He took some time. He was finally helped by the sound technician of the Assembly who has his name on the mike panel. PM new lector support A new gadget has been placed on the table of the prime minister to help him read his replies and other papers. In fact this proved helpful… to the dismay of Mahen Jhugroo who no more has the chance to turn the pages. Baboo late as usual Santaram Baboo, the minister of arts and culture is persistently late. He always comes in when the session has already started. This time he arrived some ten minutes late… for this first sitting! Absent from Council Everybody wanted to know whether the former minister of finance and newly appointed minister of foreign affairs will resume his seat at the opening of the session. But to no avail. Well intended colleagues inquired about his health with those close to him during the lunch break. Boygah’s new attire All eyes turned on Sandya Boygah clad in a newly cut tailor made two-piece top and skirt contrary to her usual colourful saree. Comments fused from mouth to ear... on their personal preference.
- A hot spot policing has been put in place by positioning police vehicles, round the clock, at strategic locations. Police officers perform vehicles stop and check on a regular basis; and
- A “Bottle Neck Operation” has also been put up in place, whereby an artificial slow down of the traffic along roads is created during which drivers are checked and sensitised on road safety and security issues.
Wrong Alert This new session started with a wrong move from elected members. At the start of the working session, it was formerly the tradition that there is a ringing bell so as to call members to resume their seat. Such a practice stopped for some time. The Speaker had it re-established. When members heard the bell, they all rose to their feet including the Leader of the Opposition. They took no time to realise that it was a false alert and sat down again. When the sergeant at arms announced the arrival of the Speaker they stood up again… but with roaring laughter. Where is my seat? The former minister of the environment was among the first to get in. No one was there to help Raj Dayal resume his new seat after he stepped down as minister. He took some time. He was finally helped by the sound technician of the Assembly who has his name on the mike panel. PM new lector support A new gadget has been placed on the table of the prime minister to help him read his replies and other papers. In fact this proved helpful… to the dismay of Mahen Jhugroo who no more has the chance to turn the pages. Baboo late as usual Santaram Baboo, the minister of arts and culture is persistently late. He always comes in when the session has already started. This time he arrived some ten minutes late… for this first sitting! Absent from Council Everybody wanted to know whether the former minister of finance and newly appointed minister of foreign affairs will resume his seat at the opening of the session. But to no avail. Well intended colleagues inquired about his health with those close to him during the lunch break. Boygah’s new attire All eyes turned on Sandya Boygah clad in a newly cut tailor made two-piece top and skirt contrary to her usual colourful saree. Comments fused from mouth to ear... on their personal preference.
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