Mahendra Chaudhry will not quit union

The verbal invitation from Minister of Sugar, Charan Jeath Singh, is yet to be matched with an official announcement from the Government.

Aformer prime minister will not resign from his role in a farmers’ union, even after he was offered a position with Fiji Sugar Corporation. board

In accepting the call to head the board, Mahendra Chaudhry said he would not give up his role as general secretary for the National Farmers Union.

The union looks after the interest, issues and concerns of the sugarcane farmers in Fiji.

The leader for Fiji Labour Party confirmed receipt of an invitation to head the FSC board.

The verbal invitation from Minister of Sugar, Charan Jeath Singh, is yet to be matched with an official announcement from the Government.

Mr Chaudhry is expected to join a twoday meeting with stakeholders in the West with Mr Singh, as he awaits a written invitation to join the board.

“I received the invite to join the FSC board from Mr Singh last week,but there is nothing in writing,” Mr Chaudhry said. “I am unaware about the programme, but will wait for the formality, then proceed.”

Mr Singh awaits Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s endorsement of his recommendation for Mr Chaudhry to join the board. Mr Rabuka is currently on a one-week tour of the North.

Mr Singh will be accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for Sugar, Yogesh Karan.

“We will begin our meeting with the Ministry of Sugar, Sugar Cane Growers Council, Sugar Cane Growers Fund, Sugar Research Institute of Fiji, Fiji Sugar Corporation, South Pacific Fertiliser Limited, and the Sugar Industry Tribunal,” Mr Singh said.

“We are thankful to Mr Chaudhry’s assistance, and look forward to taking the sugar industry to another level.”