The Academy of Design and Innovation Bill and the Immigration Bill will be presented for second and third reading on Tuesday 19 July. These public bills will be introduced by the Minister for SMEs and Cooperatives, Sunil Bholah and the Prime Minister.
Academy of Design and Innovation Bill- Valorisation and Professionalisation
This Academy of Design and Innovation Bill will replace the Fashion and Design Institute, both in functions and powers. The Ministry of Industrial Development, SMEs and Cooperatives wishes to give it more value in order to foster excellence in this field. The Academy of Design and Innovation will be able to award degrees and diplomas jointly with a higher education institution or an international institution without going through lengthy recommendation procedures with other universities. With the implementation of this bill, the ministry concerned will create more cooperation and professional integration in these sectors in the fields of design.
Immigration Bill – Tougher
The Immigration Bill, which will concern the Prime Minister, will make a series of changes to the Immigration Act 1970, the Mauritius Citizenship Act but also give more power to the Immigration Department. In sum, there will be stricter control over marriages between Mauritians and foreigners made on Mauritian or foreign territory, civil marriages, applications for residence permits, and residence permits.
PMQT- 4 present and pressing issues at PM
Reza Uteem, MMM MP, will open the ball with a question on Kumaresan Ilango as the National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister since 2021. The MP wants to know more about the qualifications and conditions of employment of the former top Indian intelligence officer.
Deven Nagalingum, also an MMM MP, will ask for updates on the case of the former President, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, whose Commission of Enquiry was closed on 30 January 2020. He will also want details of the stamps of the former Chief Justice, Asraf Caunhye, the Senior Puisne Judge, Nirmala Devat and Justice Gaitree Jugessur-Manna.
On the PTr side, Patrick Assirvaden will want to know more about the review of the Standing Orders and Rules of the National Assembly (1995). Last but not least, Osman Mohammed will ask the PM to table the report of MT’s Chief Technical Officer (CTO) on the much-publicized Survey at the Landing Station in Jacotet Bay on 15 April by Indian technicians.
