SUGAR Cane Growers Fund legal manager Legal Sheetal Chetty has called for a criminal record and bankruptcy check of candidates seeking election to the Sugar Cane Growers Council.
In submissions to the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights’ consultations on amendments to the Sugar Industry Bill 2024 this week, Ms Chetty asked if there was a clear definition of a registered cane grower because “it’s a very broad topic and anybody can fall into it”.
“My other point is whether a person residing overseas, who is a registered canegrower and has sufficient cane on his farm, can contest elections and whether a power of attorney can do the same,” she said.
“How about if the power of attorney gets revoked, because that does happen.”
In response, committee chairperson Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure said the principal Sugar Industry Act of 1984 did not have a clear definition of a registered sugarcane grower.
He said the current Bill was silent on the power of attorney provision.
“The Bill is only wording out that the power of attorney to vote, not stand for elections, so I wish to make that clear,” Ratu Rakuita said.
“The Bill only says that power of attorney is only exercisable if the grower is outside or sick, the power of attorney can vote with respect to stand for elections.”
In terms of the revoking of the power of attorney, Ratu Rakuita said this would be part of the checks and balances that the Registrar Tribunal and the council’s CEO would have to check eligibility.
Previously, members of the council were elected through the process of the previous Sugar Industry Act of 1984, however, in 2015 the Act was amended to allow the Sugar Minister to elect council members.
Now, the Sugar Industry (Amendment) Bill 2024 seeks to amend the Act to allow for the election of council members, amending the guidelines regarding who is part of the council while outlining the council’s election process.
