(Hansard) (Unrevised) First Session Tuesday 07 May 2019

1 No. 06 of 2019 SIXTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) (UNREVISED) FIRST SESSION TUESDAY 07 MAY 2019 2 CONTENTS ANNOUNCEMENT OBITUARY PAPERS LAID QUESTIONS (Oral) MOTIONS STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS BILLS (Public) ADJOURNMENT QUESTIONS (Written) 3 THE CABINET (Formed by Hon. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth) Hon. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth Prime Minister, Minister of Home Affairs, External Communications and National Development Unit, Minister of Finance and Economic Development Hon. Ivan Leslie Collendavelloo, GCSK, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Energy and Public SC Utilities Hon. Sir Anerood Jugnauth, GCSK, Minister Mentor, Minister of Defence, Minister for KCMG, QC Rodrigues Hon. Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government and Outer Islands, Minister of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare Hon. Yogida Sawmynaden Minister of Technology, Communication and Innovation Hon. Nandcoomar Bodha, GCSK Minister of Public Infrastructure and Land Transport, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade Hon. Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun Minister of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research Hon. Anil Kumarsingh Gayan, SC Minister of Tourism Dr. the Hon. Mohammad Anwar Husnoo Minister of Health and Quality of Life Hon. Prithvirajsing Roopun Minister of Arts and Culture Hon. Marie Joseph Noël Etienne Ghislain Minister of Social Security, National Solidarity, and Sinatambou Environment and Sustainable Development Hon. Mahen Kumar Seeruttun Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security Hon. Ashit Kumar Gungah Minister of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection Hon. Maneesh Gobin Attorney General, Minister of Justice, Human Rights and Institutional Reforms Hon. Jean Christophe Stephan Toussaint Minister of Youth and Sports 4 Hon. Soomilduth Bholah Minister of Business, Enterprise and Cooperatives Hon. Marie Roland Alain Wong Yen Minister of Social Integration and Economic Cheong, MSK Empowerment Hon. Premdut Koonjoo Minister of Ocean Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping Hon. Soodesh Satkam Callichurn Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations, Employment and Training Hon. Purmanund Jhugroo Minister of Housing and Lands Hon. Marie Cyril Eddy Boissézon Minister of Civil Service and Administrative Reforms Hon. Dharmendar Sesungkur Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance 5 PRINCIPAL OFFICERS AND OFFICIALS Madam Speaker Hanoomanjee, Hon. Mrs Santi Bai, GCSK Deputy Speaker Lesjongard, Georges Pierre Deputy Chairperson of Committees Jahangeer, Hon. Ahmad Bashir Clerk of the National Assembly Lotun, Mrs Bibi Safeena Adviser Dowlutta, Mr Ram Ranjit Deputy Clerk Ramchurn, Ms Urmeelah Devi Clerk Assistant Gopall, Mr Navin Clerk Assistant Seetul, Ms Darshinee Hansard Editor Jankee, Mrs Chitra Parliamentary Librarian and Information Jeewoonarain, Ms Prittydevi Officer Serjeant-at-Arms Pannoo, Mr Vinod 6 7 MAURITIUS Sixth National Assembly --------------- FIRST SESSION ------------ Debate No. 06 of 2019 Sitting of 07 May 2019 The Assembly met in the Assembly House, Port Louis at 11.30 a.m. The National Anthem was played (Madam Speaker in the Chair) 8 ANNOUNCEMENT HAND-HELD ELECTRONIC DEVICES – DISTURBANCES Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, recently, the House has witnessed a number of unfortunate cases of uses made of hand-held devices which have been causing serious disturbances and have greatly impaired the decorum of the House. The House has, for some years now, agreed to the use in the Chamber of hand-held electronic devices based on the central principle that same cause no disturbance and are not used in such a way as to impair decorum. Hon. Members are presumably aware that practice in other legislatures varies widely as to what is or is not permissible in terms of the use of hand-held devices. It goes from a complete ban thereof to a gradual move towards easing of restrictions provided that discretion is exercised. A number of respectable arguments have been advanced for the complete banning of use of electronic devices by Members in the Chamber and Committees in many Commonwealth and other legislatures, even to this date, such as, for example – • Members present should focus their full attention on the business of the House and not undertake other activities; • their use of electronic devices might distract others, either visually or audibly, and • the sight of Members concentrating on hand-held devices rather than the business of the House creates a negative impression of the Assembly. However, our Assembly has allowed the use of electronic devices because they are largely pragmatic, inasmuch as they enable Members, having to participate in the proceedings of the House, instantaneous access to newspapers, research materials, written notes and, especially, such relevant materials which may be available only in electronic form as, increasingly, materials are published in electronic form only, so that this may help them contribute in terms of more informed debates. Besides, since some years now, Members have been receiving copies of parliamentary documents in electronic form on the Digital Tablets put at their disposal for this purpose, through a customised Application. 9 Unfortunately, it appears that some Members have only retained that they are allowed to use hand-held devices but been ignoring the central principle agreed by the House underlying same. I have, therefore, as I had undertaken to do, prescribed a set of rules intended for the guidance of Members on behaviour expected of them in the Chamber and in Committees as far as the use of these devices is concerned. While open to change, these rules are important to ensure that order prevails and that decorum be preserved during proceedings. The Rules are as follows – (1) The House permits the use of electronic devices by Members in the Chamber and Committees, provided that the use thereof – (a) does not interfere or distract other Members, either visually or audibly, and does not interfere with proceedings, in particular calls, message, alerts, alarm ringing, taking of pictures, playing videos or recording proceedings, whether or not the camera or recording device is part of the permitted device; (b) is as unobtrusive as possible and is directly related to the Members’ parliamentary duties, and (c) generally, does not impair the decorum of the House. (2) It would be a matter for the occupant of the Chair to judge in specific circumstances when these rules have been breached and to take such measures, as appropriate, to put a stop to the disturbances and to restore the decorum of the House, in keeping with the general conventions on behaviour in the Chamber. These Rules are prescribed under Standing Orders 77 and 78 of the Standing Orders and Rules of the National Assembly (1995) and come into operation as from today. Thank you. 10 OBITUARY – MR ABDOOL MONAF FAKIRA The Prime Minister: Madam Speaker, it is with deep regret that we have learnt of the demise of Mr Abdool Monaf Fakira, on Thursday 25 April 2019, former Member of Parliament, at the age of 89. Mr Fakira was born on 10 August 1929 at Port Louis. He started his political career with the PMSD during the pre-independence period and became its Secretary General under the leadership of Mr Jules Koenig. At the Local Government elections held on 11 December 1960, Mr Fakira was elected to serve as Municipal Councillor for the Municipal Council of Port Louis. In 1962, he became the Deputy Mayor and in 1964, he acceded to the post of Mayor. Mr Fakira contested the 1967 General Election in Constituency No. 1 – Grand River North West and Port Louis West, under the banner of the PMSD and was returned Second Member to serve the said Constituency. He also contested the 1976 General Election in Constituency No. 3 – Port Louis Maritime and Port Louis East, under the banner of PMSD, but was not elected. In 1982, Mr Fakira stood as candidate for the General Election in Constituency No.2 – Port Louis South and Port Louis Central, under the banner of the PMSD. In 1987, he stood as candidate in the same Constituency, under the banner of the MSM-Labour Party Alliance. Mr Fakira was not returned in both elections. Madam Speaker, as a parliamentarian, Mr Fakira held strong views on many problems, particularly the problem of unemployment affecting the youth. He regularly showed his concern regarding emigration, rights of workers, industrialisation and development. Highly interested in sports, Mr Fakira was at one time the President of the Muslim Scouts Football Club. Madam Speaker, may I request you to kindly direct the Clerk to convey the deep condolences of the Assembly to the bereaved family. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr X. L. Duval): Madam Speaker, I associate myself to the tribute made by the hon. Prime Minister to late Mr Monaf Fakira. Mr Monaf Fakira was a staunch member of the PMSD and in many ways right-hand man of Sir Gaëtan 11 Duval. On behalf of the Opposition, I would also request the Clerk to convey our condolences to the bereaved family. Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I associate myself to the tribute paid to late Mr Abdool Monaf Fakira, former Member of Parliament, by the hon. Prime Minister and the hon. Leader of the Opposition, and I direct the Clerk to convey to the bereaved family the deep condolences of the Assembly. PAPERS LAID The Prime Minister: Madam Speaker, the Papers have been laid on the Table. A. Office of the Speaker The Annual Report and Audited Accounts of the Independent Commission Against Corruption for the year 2017/2018. B. Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities The Annual Report of the Wastewater Management Authority for the period ended 30 June 2017. (In Original) ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS INDIAN OCEAN ISLAND GAMES – COST The Leader of the Opposition (Mr X. L. Duval) (by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Youth and Sports whether, in regard to the forthcoming Indian Ocean Island Games, he will state the estimated total cost – (a) of the – (i) Côte d’Or Multi-sports Complex, inclusive of all amenities, and (ii) upgrading and renovation of other sports amenities under Plan B, and (b) for the preparation of athletes, hospitality and organisation during the Games.

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