Madam Speaker, I am informed that following the passage and damage caused by tropical cyclone Belal in January 2024, the then Ministry of Local

26 Government and the Disaster Risk Management had approached the then Attorney General’s Office for one of its officers, assisted by a Technical Adviser at the Mauritius Meteorological Services, to prepare an Independent Report on whether, the then Director of the Mauritius Meteorological Services had failed to advise the National Crisis Committee on the proper trajectory of the cyclone. The Report, prepared by an Assistant Solicitor General and a Technical Adviser at the Mauritius Meteorological Services, was submitted to the then Ministry of Local Government and Disaster Risk Management on 20 June 2024. Therein, it was concluded that there had been clear indications that tropical cyclone Belal was dangerously approaching Mauritius over the period of time spanning from 14 January 2024 at 04.00 hours to 15 January 2024 at 22.00 hours, and that the then Director had failed to advise the National Crisis Committee on the proper trajectory of tropical cyclone Belal. Madam Speaker, I must state that the Government is not satisfied with the findings of the “so-called” independent report on the basis of which Dr. R.D. was made to retire in the interest of the public service as per PSC Regulation 39. He subsequently entered a court case to contest that decision but was encouraged to withdraw the case and he did so on 06 October 2025. In fact, it appears that Dr. R.D. would have been made a scapegoat to cover the previous Government’s blunder. After a thorough assessment of the report, some very disturbing facts have emerged as information to the public about impending torrential rains that had been issued, which had appeared on the Government Portal on the eve of the dramatic events of 15 January 2024. The communiqué was subsequently deleted for unknown reasons. There are also indications that the former Prime Minister had already planned socio-cultural events to attend in the afternoon of 15 January 2024, and that there could very well be a linkage between the occurrences that I mentioned. Madam Speaker, in the light of the above, further investigation will be conducted to establish the sequence of events and whether there was a deliberate deletion of the flood warnings. An hon. Member: Criminal!

Necessary action will be taken accordingly to ensure that natural justice prevails. An hon. Member: Tampering with evidence.

27

Thank you. Yes, alright? Yes, hon. Ramdass! CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW COMMISSION – PROPOSED APPOINTMENT – STATUS (No B. /816) Mr A. Ramdass (Third Member for Vieux Grand Port & Rose Belle) asked the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister of Finance, Minister for Rodrigues and Outer Islands whether, in regard to the proposed appointment of a Constitutional Review Commission as announced in the Government Programme 2025–2029, he will state where matters stand.

Madam Speaker, with your permission, I will reply to Parliamentary Questions B/816 and B/836 together as they are connected. As enunciated in the Government Programme 2025-2029, the Government’s foremost mission is to revitalise democratic principles, reinforce good governance, and pursue constitutional reforms designed to enhance public confidence in the autonomy of state institutions. In this endeavour, my Government is committed to set up a Constitutional Review Commission mandated to propose wide-ranging constitutional, electoral and governance reforms which will include but will not be limited to – (i) the revision of our Electoral System to better reflect the will of the people; (ii) bolstering fundamental rights by introducing new generation rights relating to the environment, technology, health, education, and socio-economic issues as well as rights of nature, and (iii) the introduction of a comprehensive legislation on political party funding to ensure transparency and fair elections. Madam Speaker, constitutional review is a very complex and sensitive matter which requires experts with constitutional acumen and understanding of the specific Mauritian paradigm. In this context, the Attorney General is working on the setting up of the Commission and will submit proposals shortly.

28 This inclusion of the rights of nature in the Constitution will, therefore, be looked into by the Constitutional Review Commission in a holistic manner together with constitutional amendments.

Yes.

Madam Speaker, may we have an indication as to the composition of the Commission, if that has been decided already?

As far as I know, the Attorney General is looking into the composition. We would like to have people who know Constitution but also as far as possible, local people.

Yes, hon. Dr. Ms Thannoo, your question was answered, right? It seems to me. Do you want a supplementary question? No. Yes, Mr Lobine.

May I ask the hon. Prime Minister with regard to the timeframe, as to when this Commission will be set up?

It will be set up as soon as possible because we want to look at all these aspects including electoral reform. We want to proceed with electoral reform earlier on and not at the end of the mandate. So, this will be starting very soon.

Okay. Now, I will call hon. Third Member for Grand’ Baie and Poudre d’Or, hon. Etwareea. MAURITIAN ECONOMY – IMF GROWTH PROJECTIONS – GOVERNMENT’S ECONOMIC OUTLOOK