By SHEIK DEAN
Eight sector board delegates from the Rarawai/Penang Cane Producers Association are alleging association president Gyan Singh is holding illegal sector campaigns and elections.
Mr Singh in response said the legality and illegality of issues are decided by a court and not by individuals.
It comes amidst a continuing power struggle within the association andtclaims and counter claims over the use of Fair Trade Funds given through the association.
Varuku sector board delegate, Khalid Ali said Mr Singh had started illegal elections in Nanuku sector last Thursday, but was stopped by police.
“Mr Singh has started campaigning for elections in the remaining seven sectors to fill the position of sector board delegates,” Mr Ali alleged.
“We fail to realise how Mr Singh can still be the president when he was voted out of the association by majority of the board delegates.
“When Mr Singh was voted out, he did not step down but sent termination letters to the eight board sector delegates.”
Mr Ali says Mr Singh wants to now hold sector elections to fill the positions later this month.
Out of the 14 sectors, the eight major sectors had terminated the services of Mr Singh.
The eight major sectors from Ba and Rakiraki are, Nanuku, Malau, Ellington sector II, Mota, Varuku, Rarawai, Koronubu and Varavu.
Other allegations
He is also alleging Mr Singh is using the association’s resources to campaign in the various sectors under the association.
Notice letters of elections were handed to sector board delegates in November.
Varavu sector board delegate, Davendra Naidu also expressed the same concerns and is asking for Government intervention.
He says the sugar industry should not be politicised and farmers should be given their benefits for which they are entitled to.
Fair Trade Funds
Mr Naidu raised the issue of the use and accountability of funds granted by the Fair Trade Organisation, which the farmers and board delegates had urged for since October.
“The Labasa and Lautoka Cane Producers Association are doing a tremendous work in channelling the funds for the benefit of the farmers.
“Farmers under the RPCPA have not benefitted from the $1.4 million fund given by FTO,’’ said Mr Naidu.
Mr Singh in turn said:“I was elected as the president of RPCPA on 21 March 2013 and I ‘am still the president.”
He further said all the works and dealings of the association are audited by local and international auditors.