Government’s decision to amend the Sugar Industry Act through parliament has seen an opposition from a section of the farmer’s representative body.
The National Farmers Union says the process government has opted to take to ensure changes in the Sugar Cane Growers Council are undertaken in order to facilitate the requirements in the Sugar Master Award should involve the farmers.
Meanwhile a bill passed in parliament today proposes a new board of the SCGC comprising the Commissioner Western and the Commissioner Northern and representatives from the three Cane Producers’ Association.
The NFU in a press statement argues that the Cane Producers Associations are not the legitimate representatives of the growers.
NFU general secretary Mahendra Chaudhry has called on government to withdraw the Bill and carry out proper consultations with the growers unions on the changes being proposed.
