Cabinet clears paddy bonus

The Cabinet also gave its approval to changes in the sugarcane pricing regime,introducing fair and remunerative price FRP instead of the existing statutory minimum price SMP. It has revised the sugarcane SMP of Rs 107.76 per quintal,announced in June,to an FRP of Rs 129.84 per quintal for the lowest grade sugarcane. Though the regime change was necessitated by disputes over computation of price for sugar mills,many farmers organisations have already decided to oppose the move.

The Cabinet also decided to introduce the Constitution One Hundred and Tenth Amendment Bill,2009 in the Winter Session of Parliament to curtail state interference in cooperative societies and provide a uniform legislative framework to ensure the democratic and professional functioning of cooperatives.

Under the proposed amendments,an independent authority like the State Election Commission will be asked to conduct elections in cooperative societies. The amendments also seek to fix terms of office-bearers at five years,mandate independent professional audit,regular general body meetings and filing of returns and timely elections.