1 No. 33 of 2020 SEVENTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) (UNREVISED) FIRST SESSION TUESDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2020 2 CONTENTS ANNOUNCEMENT PAPERS LAID QUESTIONS (Oral) MOTION BILL (Public) ADJOURNMENT QUESTIONS (Written) 3 THE CABINET (Formed by Hon. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth) Hon. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister for Rodrigues, Outer Islands and Territorial Integrity Hon. Louis Steven Obeegadoo Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, Minister of Tourism Hon. Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Education, GCSK Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Dr. the Hon. Mohammad Anwar Husnoo Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government and Disaster Risk Management Hon. Alan Ganoo Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail Dr. the Hon. Renganaden Padayachy Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Hon. Nandcoomar Bodha, GCSK Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade Hon. Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, GCSK Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity Hon. Soomilduth Bholah Minister of Industrial Development, SMEs and Cooperatives Hon. Kavydass Ramano Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change Hon. Mahen Kumar Seeruttun Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance Hon. Georges Pierre Lesjongard Minister of Energy and Public Utilities Hon. Maneesh Gobin Attorney General, Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security Hon. Yogida Sawmynaden Minister of Commerce and Consumer 4 Protection Hon. Jean Christophe Stephan Toussaint Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation Hon. Mahendranuth Sharma Hurreeram Minister of National Infrastructure and Community Development Hon. Darsanand Balgobin Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation Hon. Soodesh Satkam Callichurn Minister of Labour, Human Resource Development and Training Dr. the Hon. Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal Minister of Health and Wellness Hon. Sudheer Maudhoo Minister of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping Hon. Mrs Kalpana Devi Koonjoo-Shah Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare Hon. Avinash Teeluck Minister of Arts and Cultural Heritage Hon. Teeruthraj Hurdoyal Minister of Public Service, Administrative and Institutional Reforms 5 PRINCIPAL OFFICERS AND OFFICIALS Mr Speaker Hon. Sooroojdev Phokeer, GOSK Deputy Speaker Hon. Mohammud Zahid Nazurally Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hon. Sanjit Kumar Nuckcheddy 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 MAURITIUS Seventh National Assembly --------------- FIRST SESSION ------------ Debate No. 33 of 2020 Sitting of Tuesday 10 November 2020 The Assembly met in the Assembly House, Port Louis, at 11.30 a.m. The National Anthem was played (Mr Speaker in the Chair) 7 ANNOUNCEMENT MR JAIRAJ SONOO, CSK - CHAIRMAN - STATE INVESTMENT CORPORATION LTD - COMPLAINT Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, before we proceed with the business of the House, I have an announcement to make. I have received a written complaint from Mr Jairaj Sonoo, CSK, Chairman of the State Investment Corporation Ltd, on Friday 06 November. Mr Sonoo’s complaint is in regard to the proceedings of Tuesday 03 November when, during Question time, the hon. Xavier Luc Duval, in addressing a supplementary question to his main Question B/694, whilst clearly identifying Mr Sonoo by name made some unfounded allegations against the latter. I have perused the Hansard which reveals that, in fact, reference has been made to Mr Sonoo, and I quote - “Can I also ask whether there is one Mr Sonoo who was dismissed from the SBM under dubious circumstances? Whether this Mr Sonoo is not Head of the Investment Committee and he is the person who is deciding as to where our Rs80 billion is going?” End of quote. Mr Sonoo claims that the words uttered by the hon. Duval, made in his absence, are most unfair and damaging to his character. Mr Sonoo has further complained that the said averments which were broadcast live have gone viral on the social media. Mr Sonoo is now seeking the intervention of the Chair for redress. Mr Sonoo contends that he has had a long and untarnished career in the banking sector for over 40 years during which he has held several positions of responsibility both locally and internationally. Mr Sonoo has stated that he was neither dismissed from the SBM nor is he the Head of Investment Committee. I consider that the statement of the hon. Duval may cause irreparable prejudice to him and attempt to his credibility and reputation both locally and internationally. 8 Hon. Members, in the matter at hand I am, by virtue of the powers conferred upon me by Standing Order 77, ordering that all references made to Mr Sonoo be expunged from the Hansard and the video footage of the proceedings. I am tabling a copy of the letter. I thank you. 9 PAPERS LAID The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Papers have been laid on the Table. A. Ministry of Financial Services and Good Governance The Annual Report 2019 of the Integrity Reporting Services Agency. B. Ministry of Arts and Culture The Annual Report of the Mauritius Film Development Corporation for the year ended 31 December 2015. 10 ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ANGUS ROAD, VACOAS - IMMOVEABLE PROPERTIES - ACQUISITION The Leader of the Opposition (Dr. A. Boolell) (by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister for Rodrigues, Outer Islands and Territorial Integrity on a question in respect of unlawfully making cash payment which is tantamount to a crime, to an offence, and this offence … (Interruptions) Mr Speaker: Put your question, hon. Leader of the Opposition! Dr. Boolell: … and this offence, Mr Speaker, Sir, … (Interruptions) Mr Speaker: This is Question Time, PNQ, you put your question! There is no comment! I am on my feet! No comment; put your question! Dr. Boolell: I have not consented to the question that is before us. The question that I have put this morning relates to money laundering, an offence … (Interruptions) Mr Speaker: Hon. Leader of the Opposition, if you have any information about such thing, you go to other quarters; this is not concerned by Parliament; No. 1. No. 2 … (Interruptions) Dr. Boolell: I will table the cash payment. Mr Speaker: Hon. Leader of the Opposition, I am on my feet and I am giving my ruling! Respect, have decorum for the House! The hon. Leader of the Opposition had been informed of the amendments brought to the PNQ and explained the principles thereof by the Clerk. He did come to my Office as Standing Order 21 allows him to do in case he wishes to make representations in relation thereto. But, unfortunately, he misbehaved and left my Office. Since then, this Office has been waiting for him to give his views on the amended PNQ. Finally, inasmuch as same was not forthcoming and neither did he withdraw the PNQ, this Office had to release the amended PNQ to allow the holding of the present Sitting as convened. 11 Leader of the Opposition, without any comment, go into your question! Dr. Boolell: Mr Speaker, Sir, you have amended the question that I have put, and it relates to money laundering! Mr Speaker: I have the right! Dr. Boolell: An offence of 10-year prison! Mr Speaker: The Clerk has the right to subedit; I have the right to finalise. You were called to my Office and if you disagree, you have other platforms; choose your platforms. For now, you will have the floor to put your question. Start! Dr. Boolell: I cannot put a question which is yours. I have to put question to which I have consented to, and I can give you information in respect of … (Interruptions) Mr Speaker: Order! Order! Hon. Leader of the Opposition, this is the last chance. Either you have a question, you withdraw the question or simply leave the floor. Dr. Boolell: You want me to put question? Alright, I will put the question. Can the Prime Minister inform the House whether Rs4 m. of funds …? Mr Speaker: No, this is not your question! Dr. Boolell: Mr Speaker, Sir, … Mr Speaker: Leader of the Opposition, this is not your question! Dr. Boolell: But I cannot put a question which is not mine. Mr Speaker: This is not your question … Dr. Boolell: I cannot put a question which is not mine, a question which has been reformulated, distorted. My question relates to money laundering. Mr Speaker: This is my last warning … (Interruptions) Dr. Boolell: My question relates to cash payment, which I have here! Mr Speaker: This is the last warning I am giving you! (Interruptions) 12 No tabling! There is no tabling. This is the last warning! (Interruptions) Leader of the Opposition, you are obstructing the proceedings of the House and I have no other choice than asking you to leave the Chamber. (Interruptions) Leave the Chamber, please, and I suspend the Sitting. At 11.50 a.m., the sitting was suspended. On resuming at 12.00 p.m. with Mr Speaker in the Chair. Mr Speaker: Please, be seated! Prime Minister’s Question Time! Hon. Osman Mahomed! 13 MOTOR VEHICLES – LARCENY (No. B/759) Mr Osman Mahomed (First Member for Port Louis South & Port Louis Central) asked the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister for Rodrigues, Outer Islands and Territorial Integrity whether, in regard to reported cases of larceny of motor vehicles, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Commissioner of Police, information as to the number thereof, on a monthly basis, since January 2020 to date.