Soodesh Callichurn has confirmed that his ministry has given permission to Zippy Mouse Limited to import roll-your-cigarette papers. This was the subject of the Private Notice Question of the Leader of the Opposition on Thursday afternoon. Xavier Luc Duval asked Minister Callichurn whether his ministry had authorised the import of about 22 million roll-your-cigarette papers with a market value of over Rs 460 million on 14 March 2022, and, if so, the reasons behind such a move.
Soodesh Callichurn replied that Zippy Mouse Limited placed an order on September 16, 2015. At that time, the product was not prohibited in Mauritius. The Minister added that the ‘Roll Your Own Cigarette paper’ was listed as a prohibited commodity prior to 02 June 2015 and but was de-listed before being re-listed on 17 December 2015. However, it was decided that items ordered or imported prior to the 17 December 2015 Regulations coming into force would not be affected considering any commitments or transactions that took place during the period when these items were not prohibited by the law, namely between 02 June 2015 and 17 December 2015.
He added that the Regulations of 17 December 2015 came into force with immediate effect but was not applicable for consignments that had already been imported or for consignments that had been ordered before the date of entry into force. Soodesh Callichurn said that on August 1, 2016, his ministry at the time gave its ‘no objection’ notice to Zippy Mouse Ltd for importing the remaining 24,025 boxes of ‘Roll Your Own Cigarette paper’. Subsequently, the company imported two batches of ‘Roll Your Own Cigarette’ paper, namely on 12 December 2016 and 4 August 2017, he said. On 18 September 2017, concerns were raised by officers of the Mauritius Revenue Authority on the possible abuse of the said Regulations by Zippy Mouse Ltd, the minister said. As a result, from that date until 11 March 2022, various letters were sent to the company, meetings were held between the importers, officers of his ministry and those of the Customs Department of the Mauritius Revenue Authority to resolve the issues. Finally, on 11 March 2022, the company requested the Ministry to allow the importation of the remaining batch of 24,025 boxes of “Roll Your Own Cigarette” paper in one go in order to solve the problem, as the remaining order had already been paid for and would be destined for “personal storage”. Soodesh Callichurn spoke of a collective decision involving officers of his ministry and those of the customs. Xavier Luc Duval then asked the minister why such an authorisation was granted for a product that is banned and used in drug consumption. The Minister of Commerce replied that according to the company, it was for “personal storage and not for the local market”. This response prompted the opposition leader laugh, before asking the minister why the State Law Office was not consulted for the import. “It was not necessary,” the minister replied. But he finally revealed that he asked the Permanent Secretary of his Ministry to make a complaint to the Independent Commission against Corruption on why the green light was given so abruptly.
