The Task Force on the forthcoming festival of Ganesh Chaturthi and the Shri Venkateshwara Pooja 2024, met this afternoon, under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, at the Sir Harilal Vaghjee Memorial Hall, in Port Louis. The aim was to take note of all proposals and requests of socio-cultural associations to ensure that the Ganesh Chaturthi festival and Shri Venkateshwara Pooja are held in the best possible conditions.
The Task force comprised several Ministers namely the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, Minister of Tourism, Mr Louis Steven Obeegadoo; the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government and Disaster Risk Management, Dr Mohammad Anwar Husnoo; the Minister of Land Transport and Land Rail, Mr Alan Ganoo ; the Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Dr Renganaden Padayachy; the Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Mr George Pierre Lesjongard; the Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, Mr Kavydass Ramano; the Minister of National Infrastructure and Community Development, Mr Mahendranuth Sharma Hurreeram; the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal; and the Minister of Arts and Cultural Heritage, Mr Avinash Teeluck.
Several Parliamentary Private Secretaries and Members of the National Assembly, representatives from Governmental institutions and local authorities as well as members of socio-cultural associations were also present to put forth their proposals in view of the forthcoming religious ceremonies.
Prime Minister Jugnauth indicated that the meeting provides an opportunity for stakeholders to meet and review all preparations ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi and Shri Venkateshwara Pooja which will be celebrated on 08 September and from 04 September till 12 October 2024 respectively.
He thus requested concerned Ministries to give an update as regards progress of necessary infrastructural works for the smooth running of both festivals. The help and assistance of Ministries, local authorities and socio-cultural associations, he stressed, is crucial for the Government as it believes in ensuring the security and safety of the population especially during celebrations of festivals.
On this score, Prime Minister Jugnauth reiterated that Government will do its best to attend to the demands and proposals of socio-cultural associations in the set time frame. He also expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders for their contribution in this important and yearly exercise that helps Government to initiate better planning well in advance of religious ceremonies.
A number of issues were raised by the Ministers related to cleaning, embellishment and paint works; street lighting; asphalting of roads; scavenging facilities; dredging of rivers, renovation of certain sites and the paving and resurfacing of roads; cleaning and slab levelling; trimming of trees; provision of water and electricity; new water connections; maintenance works; provision of tent and podium; and road safety. They reassured that works have already been undertaken at the level of their respective Ministries following requests of socio-cultural associations.
Concerning health and safety, Minister Jagutpal underlined that an additional health personnel will be mobilised to attend to cases requiring medical emergency. Highlighting the need to protect the population from Dengue, he informed that sanitary inspectors will be sent to inspect prayer sites and ensure that they are not infected and are safe.
As for the Mauritius Police Force, there will be a reinforced deployment of police officers on prayer sites for the good running of the procession and the immersion. Lifesavers from the National Coast Guard and the Special Mobile Force will be on stand-by to ensure safety of the devotees at rivers and seas. Likewise, the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service will be on site to provide essential emergency response services.
