Our little country has met with lots of waves and even cyclones in its history. Nevertheless, one Big Wave caused havoc in distant lands abroad and brought a new word to our mouths: Tsunami. After the Elections in 2005, the Alliance Sociale brought another meaning to the same word Tsunami. They brought a Tsunami operated by distant World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) forces called Sithanen into the Government. The same Sithanen has shown the same heartlessness of a true bureaucrat in his vision of our economy and how it should operate. In a nutshell, Mauritians come second to foreigners.
As a developing economy, Mauritius faces many social challenges and a number of our fellow citizens miss opportunities. In this way, even in 2007, about 10% of the population lives at or below poverty level. These people often depend on the State and especially on Non Governmental Agencies and Organisations for various facilities and help. In the past, these NGOs could solicit money from organisations and persons for their activities. The financial help thus came directly to the organisation and the person could claim a tax rebate. With the Sithanen Budgets, this is no more. The NGOs now rely on public collections and almost wholly on the State. This severely handicaps their activities since State Finances usually come with strings attached.
Guess which strings and think as to why some NGOs are unusually mute recently.
Bringing water to the mill is the recent Transparency International Report which shows increased corruption in the country. Remember too that the Mo Ibrahim report that Mauritius ranked first in Good Governance in all of Africa is based on 2004-05 data and figures and the report relates to the previous MSM- MMM Government.
When the possibilities and activities of the NGOs are affected, it is democracy and equality for the people of Mauritius that is reduced. But of course, Mr Sithanen does not really care. He has made provision in his Budgets for the IRS people to form schools to train these poor layers of society into servants, drivers, golf course attendants and lackeys of all sorts. That is his vision of Mauritian Society! Of course, this is his vision for you and us. In Sithanen’s world, his own son needs to be welcomed in all sorts of private clubs and needs to be served his vodka promptly… or else…..it becomes a national issue. That is what this Tsunami has brought unto our society! Deep inside yourself, do you really think it is a good thing? Before you reply, think well my Friend!! Those sorts of businesses were not heard of under the MSM MMM Government.
At the same time, talking of those private clubs, how is it that his baby MRA is on the one hand shaking the teeth out of some professionals to get petty cash while distributing licenses for clubs with the other hand. Some of those clubs charge Rs1000 or more for entry; a soft drink costs Rs70 and so on. Would it not be more profitable for the MRA to get the lists of clients and members if Sithanen really wants to get at those people with “Big Money” in their pockets? His own son could be a precious guide to the abodes of those Sithanen wants to tax. When we hear of concert tickets at Rs 800 and more, the same could apply, with TV pictures as evidence….. But no, turn a blind eye on some events. Just like a tsunami, the less fortunate lose more than those who have.
When we talk of events, the country just lived through one, with the Sithanen episodes. Sithanen appeared every day of the week wheedling and trying to explain his reasons for the harsh measures unpopular with the population. He ended as usual with the menace of quitting. Some piece of third class cinema that would fool nobody. Then, he just decided to go meet the Bosses at World Bank and the IMF this October week. One thing we would like him to tell the bosses: If the economic indicators are really green as he claims and the population is not happy with the effects of the economic changes, then what foreign money is really coming in?
To find answers, ask the following: Why is India so jitterish about our offshore sector? Why have counterfeiters of all sorts, false passports, immigration scams, false bank cards, counterfeit medicines chosen Mauritius? Why use precious tax payers’ money on the Terre Rouge project, with all the limitations, when it could be relocated as planned previously to Belle Rive area?
Was there ever such malaise in society, in business, among the working people, under the MSM? MSM is all for economic reforms, but with a human face and assorted with control measures to keep the reputation of Mauritius high
There is more to it than meet the eye my friends. Mauritius is living more and more on borrowed time and money. Remember that land lost to foreigners is land lost forever. Then world will not give unlimited opportunities to correct mistakes. Better think, decide and act at once. It is better to take precautions against a tsunami than after it!