Africa-Press – Mauritius. Former MBC journalist and Senior Adviser at the Prime Minister’s Office, Kavish Pultoo, received monthly salaries ranging from Rs 59,700 to Rs 145,630 during his five-year tenure under the MSM-led government. He also undertook ten overseas missions, costing a total of Rs 1,359,997. One of these missions involved accompanying Lilram Deal, former Acting Director of the Counter-Terrorism Unit, on an “urgent security mission.”
Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam disclosed these details in response to a parliamentary question raised by MP Nitish Beejan. He clarified that Kavish Pultoo was initially employed by MBC as a journalist-reporter for Images. In 2017, he was promoted to Editor-in-Chief, earning a monthly salary of Rs 53,200, plus monthly allowances amounting to Rs 13,960.
“Regarding missions attended by Mr. Pultoo between 2015 and 2024, he undertook 10 overseas trips, eight of which were alongside the former Prime Minister. These missions cost a total of Rs 1,359,997.57. Notably, one mission in May 2024 was described as an urgent security assignment, during which Mr. Pultoo accompanied Mr. Lilram Deal, then Acting Director of the Counter-Terrorism Unit,” the Prime Minister stated.
He also accompanied former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth on two foreign trips—to New York in 2017 and India in 2019. The total cost of these two missions, including airfare and per diem expenses, amounted to Rs 309,376.84, covered by the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC).
On February 18, 2020, Kavish Pultoo was appointed Information Adviser at the Ministry of Health, for which he was granted unpaid leave from MBC. His contract as adviser was renewed on February 20, 2021, for another year under the same terms, with a monthly salary of Rs 59,700 and allowances totaling Rs 15,365.
However, on April 23, 2021, he was promoted to Senior Adviser on Policy and Communication Matters within the Ministry of Health. “It should be noted that his employment contract was backdated to February 20, 2021, and he was offered a combined salary and allowances of Rs 109,630,” said Navin Ramgoolam. Upon renewal of his contract on February 20, 2022, his total remuneration was capped at Rs 119,065—nearly double his initial salary as a press attaché.
On July 1, 2022, Kavish Pultoo was appointed Director of the Government Information Service (GIS) on a one-year contractual basis. In this role, he received a monthly salary of Rs 100,750 plus allowances of Rs 44,930, totaling Rs 145,630 per month. His contract was renewed for another year effective July 1, 2023.
Additionally, in his capacity as GIS Director and under Section 6(1)(c) of the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation Act, Pultoo was appointed to the MBC Board of Directors from July 7, 2022, to March 2024. During his board tenure, he also served on three sub-committees: the Programmes Committee, the Audit and Risk Management Committee, and the Corporate Governance Committee. He was paid Rs 312,000 for this role.
On February 12, 2024, Kavish Pultoo resigned as GIS Director following his appointment as Senior Adviser on Communication and Strategy at the Office of the Prime Minister. In this position, he earned a monthly salary of Rs 128,875 plus allowances of Rs 22,470. His contract was terminated on November 15, 2024.
However, on November 18, 2024—just one week after the general elections—Pultoo returned to his position at MBC, followed by immediate leave starting November 19, 2024. He subsequently submitted his resignation to MBC, effective January 21, 2025.
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