Parliament Returns: 24 Questions for PM in Charged Session

Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam faces a “particularly charged” Prime Minister’s Question Time (PMQT) as the Mauritian Parliament returns this 6th October after a two-month recess, with controversial issues including the arrest of a journalist and the sacking of the former Director of Meteorology dominating the agenda.

The return to the hemicycle features a total of 85 questions, including 24 directed at the Prime Minister, and approximately sixty for his ministers.

Journalist’s Arrest and Cyclone Fallout

The tone is set to be confrontational from the outset, with the controversial arrest of journalist Narain Jasodanand by the Central CID a priority matter.

Following the Opposition Leader Joe Lesjongard’s Private Notice Question (PNQ), New Democrats Leader Kushal Lobine is set to challenge the PM over the September 12th arrest of Jasodanand, which followed a social media post concerning the son of the former Governor of the Bank of Mauritius.

Lobine will seek confirmation of an independent report and details on the police officers involved, some of whom have reportedly faced sanctions.

The second PMQT question focuses on the contentious dismissal of former Meteorology Director Ram Dhurmeea, who was forced to step down following the controversy over the handling of Cyclone Belal in January 2024.

MP Arvin Babajee will ask if the independent inquiry has concluded and what its findings are.

Constitutional Reform and Diaspora Vote

Constitutional reform is also a major theme. MP Ashley Ramdass will question the PM on the progress of establishing the Constitutional Review Commission, a commitment from the government’s 2025–2029 programme.

Babita Thanoo of Rezistans & Alternativ will press the PM for a timeline on an interim constitutional amendment to remove the compulsory ethnic declaration for general election candidates, ahead of a full electoral reform.

She will also query the integration of the Rights of Nature into the Constitution, in line with government pledges.

Independent MP Franco Quirin will ask about constitutional amendments to allow diaspora Mauritians to vote.

Security, Justice, and Public Spending

Public security and justice are prominent in the line-up:

• Kushal Lobine will raise the matter of serious incidents at Melrose high-security prison on July 17, 2025, and the subsequent action taken.
• Nitish Beejan will scrutinise the practices of the Police Headquarters Special Striking Team under the former government, requesting details on court cases, ongoing inquiries, and international cooperation, specifically with Scotland Yard.
• The rise in “road rage” incidents will be raised by MP Rubna Daureeawo, who is demanding statistics for the last three years and police measures to protect road users.
• Raveen Jugurnauth is set to question authorities on recent drug-trafficking operations on the west coast, while Franco Quirin will request detailed budgetary information for the National Agency for Drug Control (NADC), including the salaries of the CEO and Chairman.

On the economy, MP Ram Etwareea will question government measures following the IMF’s revised upward growth forecasts for 2025–2026.

Roshan Jhummun will ask about bank fees and charges, suggesting a cap by the Bank of Mauritius.

Opposition Leader’s Critique

Ahead of the session, Leader of the Opposition Joe Lesjongard has warned the opposition is “in battle order,” criticising a persistent “high cost of living” and institutional “malfunctions.”

Lesjongard singled out the new imposition of VAT on traders with a turnover of three million rupees, which he argues will worsen living costs, and the abolition of the pension for those aged 60 to 65, predicting increased poverty.

He also expressed concern over the “law and order” situation and accused the executive of weakening the public administration.

Ministers to Face Scrutiny

Beyond the PM’s session, sixty questions are directed at ministers, with the Minister of Transport, Osman Mahomed (10 questions), the Minister of National Infrastructure, Ajay Gunness (9 questions), and the Minister of Public Utilities, Patrick Assirvaden (8 questions), facing the most intense scrutiny. Key ministerial questions include:

• Agro-Industry: Implementation of mandatory dog registration, effective since October 1st, and the possibility of decentralising registration via private vets.
• Transport: Difficulties on various bus routes, the state of coastal roads following pipe-laying works, and delays in installing speed cameras.
• Infrastructure: Delays at the Chemin Grenier market project, management of heavy vehicle traffic around the Mare Chicose dump, and mitigation measures for flooding in Vallée-des-Prêtres.
• Public Utilities: Water supply issues in several areas, including Nouvelle-Découverte and Pailles, and national electricity interruptions.
• Health: The shortage of nurses in public facilities, especially in Rodrigues.
• Environment: The management of asbestos, including trained agents and site visits.

Source: Le Mauricien