Politics
Met Services Former Director’s Retirement, A Strategic Decision for Public Service
Ram Kumar Dhurmea, the former director of Mauritius’ meteorological services, has been officially retired as of September 12, 2024, a decision taken in what the Ministry of Local Government describes as the “interest of public service.” This announcement was made in an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court.
The Ministry contended that Dhurmea’s appeal to the Supreme Court has lost its relevance.
Devanand Fowdar, the Director of Human Resources at the Ministry, outlined this position in an affidavit submitted to the court on September 20, 2024.
The context of this legal battle stems from an earlier motion filed by Dhurmea on August 14, 2024, in which he challenged disciplinary proceedings aimed at his retirement in connection with inaccurate weather forecasts issued during Cyclone Belal’s impact earlier this year.
Dhurmea had been suspended from his post on January 17, 2024, following findings from an internal investigation that deemed the weather predictions linked to Cyclone Belal to be incorrect.
Dhurmea stated that he was unfairly made a scapegoat for the failings associated with this situation.
The case was brought before Chief Justice Bibi Rehana Mungly-Gulbul on October 7, 2024.
The Ministry of Local Government, represented by Chief State Attorney Rasmi Camiah, submitted a second affidavit from Devanand Fowdar on October 4, 2024.
In this latest affidavit, Fowdar reiterated the assertion that Dhurmea was retired by the Public Service Commission (PSC) in the interest of public service.
According to Fowdar, Dhurmea had been informed of the PSC’s decision in a letter dated September 12, 2024.
He emphasized that, in light of this change, Dhurmea’s appeal no longer holds any validity and requested that the former director’s motion be dismissed.
The court will now set a schedule for discussions on the preliminary objections raised by the Ministry of Local Government.
These objections included claims that Dhurmea’s request does not qualify for judicial review and that halting the disciplinary procedure would interfere with the PSC’s discretionary powers.
Ram Kumar Dhurmea is being represented by Senior Attorney Jaykar Gujadhur in this ongoing legal matter.
Source: Defi Media