Labasa Kisan Sangh
Encyclopedia
The Kisan Sangh
had been active in the Western Division
of Fiji
since 1937 but had not seen the need to expand its activities to other sugar cane growing districts because of transportation problems and the fact that the other districts combined had far fewer cane farmers thatn the Western Division. By 1950, the Maha Sangh
, a rival to the Kisan Sangh, was well established in Labasa in the Northern Division
. As negotiatians began for the 1950 cane contract, the Kisan Sangh decided to spread its activities to the Northern Division and the Labasa Kisan Sangh was formed with support from Viti Levu
.
After 1954, the leadership of the Labasa Kisan Sangh passed to young lawyer, Vijay R. Singh
. The Labasa Kisan Sangh, remained autonomous from the main body based in Viti Levu mainly because of personal differences between Ayodhya Prasad
and Vijay R. Singh. In 1959, the Labasa Kisan Sangh was one of the cane farmers unions which formed the Federation of Cane Growers
to negotiate the new cane contract with the Colonial Sugar Refining Company
. In 1960, the Labasa Kisan Sangh together with the Viti Levu based Kisan Sangh, signed the cane contract in defiance of the majority of the members of the Federation. After Ayodhya Prasad's retirement from public life, Vijay R. Singh, who was then a Government Minister
, became the nominal leader of the Kisan Sangh.
Kisan Sangh
Kisan Sangh was the first farmers' union formed in Fiji on 27 November 1937. This was the result of one man's determination to improve the plight of Fiji's Indian cane farmers...
had been active in the Western Division
Western Division, Fiji
The Western Division of Fiji is one of Fiji's four divisions. It consists of the three provinces Ba, Nadroga-Navosa and Ra.The capital of the division is Lautoka. The division includes the western part of the largest island in Fiji, Viti Levu, with a few outlying islands, including the Yasawa...
of Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
since 1937 but had not seen the need to expand its activities to other sugar cane growing districts because of transportation problems and the fact that the other districts combined had far fewer cane farmers thatn the Western Division. By 1950, the Maha Sangh
Maha Sangh
Akhil Fiji Krishak Maha Sangh was a sugar cane farmers' union formed on 15 June 1941 in opposition to the existing union, the Kisan Sangh. Supporters of Kisan Sangh tried to stop the formation of the Maha Sangh but were unsuccessful. The people responsible for the formation of a second sugar cane...
, a rival to the Kisan Sangh, was well established in Labasa in the Northern Division
Northern Division, Fiji
The Northern Division is one of four Divisions into which Fiji's fourteen Provinces are grouped for local government purposes. The administrative centre of the Division, where main governmental departments are located, is Labasa....
. As negotiatians began for the 1950 cane contract, the Kisan Sangh decided to spread its activities to the Northern Division and the Labasa Kisan Sangh was formed with support from Viti Levu
Viti Levu
Viti Levu is the largest island in the Republic of Fiji, the site of the nation's capital, Suva, and home to a large majority of Fiji's population.- Geography and economy :...
.
After 1954, the leadership of the Labasa Kisan Sangh passed to young lawyer, Vijay R. Singh
Vijay R. Singh
Sir Vijay Raghubar Singh, KBE was an Indo-Fijian lawyer and politician who held Cabinet office in the 1960s and 1970s. Vijay Singh served in Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara's government in a variety of positions, including Attorney-General, and was President of the Indian Alliance, a...
. The Labasa Kisan Sangh, remained autonomous from the main body based in Viti Levu mainly because of personal differences between Ayodhya Prasad
Ayodhya Prasad
Ayodhya Prasad Sharma was an Indo-Fijian farmers’ leader and politician, who formed the most successful farmers’ union in Fiji and forced the Colonial Sugar Refining Company to make concessions to farmers after 60 years of complete control over Fiji’s economy...
and Vijay R. Singh. In 1959, the Labasa Kisan Sangh was one of the cane farmers unions which formed the Federation of Cane Growers
Federation of Cane Growers (Fiji)
The Federation of Cane Growers was formed as an umbrella organisation to negotiate the new cane contract due to take effect from 1960 with the Colonial Sugar Refining Company.- Negotiations for 1960 cane contract :...
to negotiate the new cane contract with the Colonial Sugar Refining Company
Colonial Sugar Refining Company (Fiji)
The Colonial Sugar Refining Company began operations in Fiji in 1880 and until it ceased operations in 1973, had a considerable influence on the political and economic life of Fiji. Prior to its expansion to Fiji, the CSR was operating Sugar Refineries in Melbourne and Auckland...
. In 1960, the Labasa Kisan Sangh together with the Viti Levu based Kisan Sangh, signed the cane contract in defiance of the majority of the members of the Federation. After Ayodhya Prasad's retirement from public life, Vijay R. Singh, who was then a Government Minister
Cabinet (Fiji)
Fiji has the Westminster system - executive authority is vested nominally in a President, but exercised in practice by a Cabinet of Ministers, presided over by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is formally appointed, but not chosen, by the President: the President must appoint as Prime...
, became the nominal leader of the Kisan Sangh.