Madam Speaker, may I please first and foremost thank the hon. Member for his question. Madam Speaker, in my reply to PQ B/9 dated 04 February of this year, I informed the House amongst other things, that no recruitment exercise had been carried out by the Public Service Commission, the Disciplined Forces Service Commission and Local Government Service Commission after the issue of the writ of elections dated 04 October 2024. The more so, Madam Speaker, the Public Service Commission had, on 08 October 2024, issued two circulars notifying responsible officers of all Ministries to stay action on appointment to be made under delegated powers and on issue of public advertisement for filling of vacancies until further notice. On the same date, that is, 08 October 2024, a circular was also issued by the Secretary of the Cabinet of the time and Head of Civil Service, drawing the attention of the supervising officers of Ministries and departments to the code of conduct which had been elaborated by the Electoral Supervisory Commission (ESC) for the

35 2024 National Assembly elections. Supervising officers were, accordingly, also advised to stand guided by the provision of the Code of Ethics for public officers. Madam Speaker, I have also informed the House that following the appointment exercises carried out from July to September 2024, 281 officers had joined the public sector after the issue of writ of elections, and drew attention to the fact that such a situation occurred in a matter of days prior to 04 October and beyond 04 October 2024. It is to be noted, Madam Speaker, that PQ B/9 concerned recruitment in the public sector whereas today, the hon. Member’s PQ, is also addressing the issue of promotion. I am informed that letters of offer of appointment and promotion were issued during the election period as follows, Madam Speaker – (i) on the date of writ of elections, i.e., 04 October: 63 cases, (ii) after the date of issue of writ of elections: 181 cases, including 173 cases of promotion in the Police Department approved by DFSC since 23 September 2024. Madam Speaker, in line with circulars from the PSC and the Secretary of the Cabinet – the Head of the Civil Service, actions have been restrained regarding the issue of offers of appointment and of promotion until further notice. In view of the complexity of the matter and the wide range implications, further consultations need to be held with the relevant parties concerned, and advice is awaited on this issue from the Office of the Attorney General before a final decision is taken on this matter. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. The Third Member for Port Louis North and Montagne Longue, hon. Caserne! BOULINGRIN TUNNEL, LONG MOUNTAIN – WATER ACCUMULATION – REMEDIAL MEASURES