The Sugar Cane Growers Council today made submissions on the challenges of the Reform of Sugar Cane Industry Bill.
The Standing Committee on Economic Affairs heard submissions today from key stakeholders on the Reform of Sugar Cane Industry Bill (Bill No.19 of 2016) and the Sugar Cane Growers Fund (Amendment) Bill.
Representatives of the Sugar Cane Growers Council was the CEO Sundresh Chetty and In-house Solicitor Thompson Lee.
In the clause on the transfer and acquisition of assets and liabilities to the Corporation, Chetty said a challenge for the farmers is the deduction from cane proceeds towards the Sugar Research Institution.
He also highlighted that an estimated 1 million dollars is earned annually from this deduction.
Part 8 of the Reform of Sugar Cane Industry Bill was also highlighted today.
Lee said “Section 60 of the Bill challenges the Independence of I would say of the Sugar Tribunal in the sense disputes that arise in any judicial system issued comes directly to the judicial officer either the Magistrate or High Court but in this instance section 60 says it goes to the Permanent Secretary who then if he wishes too he can transfer the dispute to the tribunal,that is where the challenge will lie,the independence of the tribunal.”