Sugar council sacked

THE 38 councillors of the Sugar Cane Growers Council have been terminated.

SCGC acting chief executive Sundresh Chetty said they received termination letters on Saturday.

"The letters were received by the office of the tribunal on Friday and were hand-delivered to the councillors the next day.

"Despite the termination of the councillors, the administrative arm is still intact but no councillors," he said.

The cane growers council was established in 1984 to protect and further the interests of registered sugarcane farmers.

The councillors were elected every three years with councillors representing each of the 38 sectors of Fiji's sugar industry.

Since its establishment, the SCGC has been known for achievements such as special cane payments, amendments to the Master Award and lease renewals.

Mr Chetty said the services provided to farmers from various district offices would continue because administrative staff would take over the responsibilities of the councillors.

In August this year, the State announced that the council would be removed because of political bickering which it said only added to problems besetting the sugar industry.

There will be no replacement body and the Fiji Sugar Corporation and the government were the ones to decide what was best for the growers and the sugar industry.

source: fijitimes