Mohammud Abdullah Lazer is relieved: Anand Kissoon confessed to the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT) that he tried to swindle the Lazer family and he says he has given back Rs 60,000. He told the MCIT he gave the remaining Rs 20,000 to his two alleged accomplices ? Azad Meeroa and Moothooja Jeetoo. Anand Kissoon had taken Rs 80,000 from Ally Lazer?s father saying he was ?Dr Sharma?, from the UK and that he could do something to save little Ally Lazer who has to be operated on for a tumour. After giving the money to one alleged accomplice, Ally?s father tried to contact ?Dr Sharma? to see if he had the money but in vain. This is how he realised Anand Kissoon had taken advantage of his family?s distress.

<B>MSM leader denies connection with SA</B>

The leader of the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM) came to the forefront to end rumours that his party was getting closer to the Social Alliance. After he met the prime minister, Navin Ramgoolam, in his office on 22nd August, rumours were rife that there could be an alliance even though they both made it clear they had only discussed proportional representation in the electoral system. He said however that a new alliance between the MSM and the MMM was still possible but the condition was that Ashock Jugnauth?s new party be out of the alliance.

<B>Increase in MRA revenue</B>

Thanks to the new legislation implying that VAT registration is compulsory for all businesses of more than Rs 2 million, the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) hopes to gather about Rs 1 billion more than in previous years. The number of taxpayers should go up from 10,000 to 11,000; as a result, the MRA expects Rs 15 billion for the financial year 2006/2007 compared to Rs 13.7 billion at the moment. The new legislation as from 1st October will involve a few changes for taxpayers and the MRA has already started a campaign of information to that end.