UTTAR Pradesh's Balaji Group of Industries has shown interest in taking over Baramba Co-operative Sugar Mills in Orissa.
The state government had negotiated with Shakti Sugars Ltd of Tamil Nadu for the sale of the mill for Rs 8.27 crore (£ 1 million). The money was supposed to be paid in four installments.
However, Shakti Sugars withdrew from the deal, finding the price on the higher side as the state government handed over Nayagarh Sugar Mill to Orissa-based ECP Enterprises at a lower price of Rs five crore.
Shakti Sugars abandoned the management and the mill is now being run by the state government.
The state has reportedly offered Baramba Co-operative Sugar Mills to Balaji Group of Industries. According to the terms and conditions, the company would pay Rs 8.27 crore in four instalments as earlier agreed by Shakti Sugars.
? Financial Express, New Delhi, India
Quality award
CO-OP Islami announced a series of awards as part of its drive to boost the quality of all of its products.
Staff who played leading roles in winning the Dubai Quality award were recognised at a recent ceremony, part of a two-track meeting aimed at unveiling and consolidating the co-op's future direction.
Saleh Saeed Lootah, Managing Director of Co-op Islami, said: "This is further recognition of our commitment to top quality standards and to sustaining the superb performance of this company."
? AME Info, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Thieves warned
OFFICIALS who steal money from co-ops will not only be jailed, but will be made to repay the money, Kenyan President Kibaki has said.
"Those who misappropriate farmers' hard-earned money must be apprehended and it is only fair that those found to have stolen public funds pay back what they illegally acquired," he said, as he opened the Central Province Agricultural Society of Kenya show, in Nyeri.
The Government had begun reforms to ensure farmers' provided the momentum needed for economic growth.
Central Province's co-op membership increased from 885,000 in 2002 to 986,000 in 2003 and turnover rose from Sh4.4 billion (£ 300,000) to Sh5.6 billion.
? AllAfrica.com, Africa
Taking a stand
MEMBERS of the Cebu Federation of Agricultural Co-os are ready to stand against a demolition team that may be sent to the market lot in Barangay Ibabao-Estancia.
The office of acting Mandaue City legal secretary Rommel Heyrosa issued notices to vacate to stall-owners at the market which was spearheaded 10 years ago by the Department of Agriculture.
Fermin Calizar, President of Cebu Multipurpose Co-op, said they have the right to resist demolition as the issue remains unanswered by the Department of Agriculture.
? The Freeman, Manila, The Philippines
Dairymen protest
A REVOLT among dairy farmers is under way in southeast Louisiana, led by a portly dairyman.
Jerome Walker has corralled several dozen other dairymen to stop the sale of a small family-owned milk plant to a subsidiary of Dairy Farmers of America, or DFA, the nation's most powerful dairy co-op.
If the sale of Dairy Fresh stands, Walker says the few remaining independent dairy farmers in Louisiana will be left with no choice but to join DFA, which already represents most of the state's dairymen.
Walker's cause has been championed in The Milkweed, a dairy trade newspaper, and has drawn the interest of anti-trust prosecutors with the US Justice Department.
? Kansas City Star, Missouri, US
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