Madam Speaker, I am informed by the Director General of the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation that in 2015, Mr Kavish Pultoo was employed as Journaliste Reporteur D’Images, on a permanent and pensionable basis, at the MBC and the post was restyled to that of News Editor/Senior News Editor in 2017. Mr Pultoo was then drawing a monthly salary of Rs53,200 along with a monthly allowance amounting to Rs13,960.

37 In his capacity as News Editor/Senior News Editor, Mr Pultoo accompanied the then Prime Minister on two overseas missions to New York and India in 2017 and 2019, respectively. The total costs of these two missions, including air tickets and per diem, amounting to Rs309,376.84. These were met by the MBC. On 18 February 2020, Mr Pultoo was offered employment, on a contractual basis for a period of one year, as Adviser on Information Matters by the Prime Minister’s Office and was posted at the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Subsequently, he was granted leave without pay by the MBC. His contract as Adviser on Information Matters was renewed on 20 February 2021 for a further period of one year, under the same terms and conditions. During his tenure as Adviser on Information Matters, Mr Pultoo was drawing a monthly salary of Rs59,700 and allowances to the tune of Rs15,365. However, on 23 April 2021, Mr Pultoo was offered employment as Senior Adviser on Policy and Communication Matters by the Ministry of Health and Wellness. The House may wish to note that his contract of employment was backdated to 20 February 2021 and he was offered a salary, including allowances of Rs109,630. On renewal of his contract, that is on 20 February 2022, his salary inclusive of allowances were then capped to Rs119,065, which was almost twice his initial salary as Adviser on Information Matters. I am further informed, Madam Speaker, that on 01 July 2022, Mr Pultoo was appointed as Director, Information Services on a contractual basis for a period of one year. In this capacity, he was drawing a monthly salary of Rs100,750 along with allowances of Rs44,930, that is, a total of Rs145,630 on a monthly basis. His contract as Director of Information Services was renewed for a further period of one year with effect from 01 July 2023. Further, in his capacity as Director of Information Services, and by virtue of section 6(1)(c) of the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation Act, Mr Pultoo was appointed as Member of the MBC Board from 07 July 2022 to March 2024. During his tenure on the MBC Board, Mr Pultoo also served on the following three sub- committees. You see the ploy of appointing them and then putting them on different committees onboard. He was also on three sub-committees –

38 (i) Programmes Committee; (ii) Audit and Risk Management Committee, and (iii) Corporate Governance Committee. He was paid a total of Rs312,000 for serving on these three sub-committees. I am also informed that on 12 February 2024, Mr Pultoo resigned as Director of Information Services following his appointment as Senior Adviser on Communication and Strategic Matters in the Prime Minister’s Office. In this capacity, he drew a monthly salary of Rs128,875 and allowances amounting to Rs22,470. The contract of Mr Pultoo as Senior Adviser on Communication and Strategic Matters was terminated on 15 November 2024. I am informed, Madam Speaker, that on 18 November 2024, Mr Pultoo resumed duty at the MBC and proceeded on leave as from 19 November 2024. He subsequently submitted his resignation to the MBC with effect from 21 January 2025. Concerning missions attended by Mr Pultoo from 2015 to 2024, the latter proceeded on 10 overseas missions, out of which, he accompanied the former Prime Minister on eight occasions. The 10 missions were at the cost of Rs1,359,997.57. It is worth highlighting that one of the missions, which was undertaken in May 2024, was purportedly an urgent security mission whereby Mr Pultoo accompanied the former Acting Director of the Counter Terrorism Unit, Mr Lilram Deal. I am tabling the additional information sought by the hon. Member and I remind them that inquiries are ongoing.

Yes, do you have a supplementary? That would be one minute left.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Given the staggering amount revealed in the reply, will the hon. Prime Minister inform the House, whether all these appointments and every rupee spent were in strict compliance with government policies at the time they were made and incurred, and if not, will there be inquiry on it? Thank you.

39

The then government decided what they would do. If they liked your face, they would give you anything.

Okay, time is up! Hon. Members, the Table has been advised that the following PQs have been withdrawn: B/968, B/970, B973, B/976, B/977, B/983, B/1004. Now, questions to hon. Ministers. We got less than half an hour to go before lunch. Hon. First Member for Rodrigues, Ms Collet. CENTRAL ELECTRICITY BOARD, RODRIGUES – POWER SUPPLY AND DEMAND – RENEWABLE ENERGY INITIATIVES