(a) Whether the private sugar mill owners of the country are reportedly violating
the rules and regulations laid down by the Government ;
(b) If so, the details of the steps taken by the Government against such sugar mill
owners to ensure compliance of the rules ;
(c)Whether such private sugar mill owners also exploit the labourers working in their
mills; and
(d) If so, the details thereof and the action taken against such mill owners ?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER
AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (DR. AKHILESH PRASAD SINGH)
(a)&(b) :The sugar factories are required to sell and despatch the specified quantity
of sugar as allowed in the Monthly Release Orders of the Government. Some sugar
mills have also obtained orders from the courts to sell sugar over and above the
quantity allowed in the Release Orders. In order to ascertain the position, the Central
Government decided to make random check on sugar factories in Uttar Pradesh. So
for, 30 sugar factories belonging to different sugar companies have been inspected
in two rounds-12 in the first round and 18 in the second round in the months of
October and November, 2006, respectively. On the basis of the inspection reports of
the first round, show cause notices have been issued to four sugar factories. The
reports of the second round of the inspection are yet to be examined. Appropriate
action shall be taken against the sugar factories found violating the Release Orders
of the Government.
(c)&(d) : The State Governments are the appropriate Government under the Industrial
Dispute Act, 1947 in the state sphere and legally vested with powers to intervene/settle
the grievances under various labour laws. Whenever complaints are received about the
violation of labour laws in the state sphere, the concerned State Governments are asked
to take suitable action in the matter.