[This is the version of this document at 30 June 2017.]
1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the National Awards Act.
2. Interpretation
In this Act—"Committee" means the National Awards Committee established under section 8;"national award" means an Order, Medal, Badge or Certificate conferred under this Act;"Order" means the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean.
3. Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean
(1)There is established for the purposes of this Act an Order to be known as the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean.(2)The Order shall consist of the following 5 classes, in order of precedence—(a)Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean;(b)Grand Officer of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean;(c)Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean;(d)Officer of the Order of the Star end Key of the Indian Ocean;(e)Member of the Order of the Star end Key of the Indian Ocean.
4. Other national awards
There shall be instituted for the purposes of this Act the following other national awards, in order of precedence—(a)a President's Distinguished Service Medal;(b)a President's Meritorious Service Medal;(c)a President's Long Service and Good Conduct Medal;(d)a President's Badge of Honour;(e)a President's Certificate of Honour.
5. Eligibility for national awards
Subject to such eligibility criteria as may be prescribed, a national award may be conferred on a citizen of Mauritius or a distinguished person who is not a citizen of Mauritius.
6. National awards conferred by virtue of office
(1)The award of Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean shall be conferred on the President on his assumption of office or during his term of office.(2)The award of Grand Officer of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean shall be conferred on—(a)the Vice-President on his assumption of office or during his term of office;(b)the Chief Justice on his appointment or during his term of office.
7. Conferment of national awards
(1)The President may, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, confer a national award on a citizen of Mauritius or a foreign national in accordance with this Act or any subsidiary enactment made under this Act.(2)The national awards list shall be made public on 12 March in every year, and on such other date as the Prime Minister may decide.(3)Every national award shall be presented by the President to the recipient at such time and place as the President may decide.
8. National Awards Committee
(1)There is established for the purposes of the Act a National Awards Committee.(2)The Committee shall—(a)make recommendations to the Prime Minister on the conferment of national awards;(b)advise the Prime Minister on any matter related to national awards.(3)The Committee shall consist of—(a)the Head of the Civil Service, as Chairperson;(b)such other persons as may be appointed by the Prime Minister.
9. Use of national awards
Any person who is the recipient of a national award may use after his name such abbreviations of the award as may be prescribed.
10. Cancellation of national awards
(1)The President may cancel a national award conferred on any person.(2)Where a national award is cancelled under subsection (1), the person shall be required to surrender the award.(3)Public notice shall be given of the cancellation of a national award under subsection (1).
11. Foreign awards and honours
Except where he is authorised by the President acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, no citizen of Mauritius shall accept any award or honour conferred by a foreign country.
12. Offences
Any person who contravenes this Act or any regulations made under this Act shall commit an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding 2,000 rupees.
13. Regulations
(1)The Prime Minister may make such regulations as he thinks fit for the purposes of this Act.(2)Any regulations made under subsection (1) may provide for—(a)the form, style, design, specifications and wear of national awards;(b)the number of national awards in each category.