Fiji Cane Growers Body Refutes The National Federation Party Claims
The cane growers are in safe hands, says Sugar Cane Growers Council chief executive officer Vimal Dutt.
This came after National Frederation Party released a statement on November 2, citing fraud.
Party leader, Biman Prasad in the statement said the deduction of premium for the Micro Bundled Insurance for cane growers from the final payment for the 2020 harvesting season without the growers’ consent was fraud.
“Growers who haven’t signed up for the scheme for not qualify for any insurance payments because they did not agree to the conditions of the agreement,” Mr Prasad said.
SCGC has described the allegations made by NFP as without substance.
Mr Dutt said under the new methodology, the growers were no longer required to register themselves nor sign any forms as previously practiced.
“Instead, a bona fide benefit being an active cane grower, all growers are covered and have the privilege to enjoy this benefit”, he said.
He said SCGC, being the integral player of the industry representing the cane Growers, has a strong stakeholder support to the Insurance.
“This insurance is a special project of the SCGC that required raising funds for welfare for all Growers at $52 per grower on average.”
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“It is a comprehensive cover offering a total of $10,000 for each Grower.”
“The insurance is not a new product in the market.”
Mr. Dutt said the insurance bundle had been in the industry for over three years.
“It has gone into its fourth year with proven positive benefits to many growers.”
Since 2017, over $1.1 million has paid in insurance claims to growers and their families,” Mr Dutt said.
“The insurance is one of the financial inclusion elements that SCGC has managed to address.”
“Currently, there are 45 claims pending that are being processed by the FijiCare Insurance and it will be paid out shortly.”
“We have a long way to go and the journey does not stop here.”
Mr Dutt said the Council was currently exploring other avenues such as the crop insurance and Disaster Relief Trust for Growers.
He said the current SCGC administration does not necessarily need to be defended.
“Instead, the Growers need to be defended from the political allies that are trying to penetrate with their ugly politics and demoralising growers’ performance.”
A press release was circulated by Sugar Cane Growers Council (SCGC) earlier ahead of the final cane payment made on October 29, 2021.
“The statement provided detailed information on the Micro Bundled Insurance (‘Insurance’) and the deduction methodology to be adopted in 2021,” Mr Dutt said.
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