Gross misconduct led to firing of GuySuCo CEO; documents show
Government may have had indisputable evidence to justify the firing of former GuySuCo Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rajendra Singh, documents show, even as he threatens legal action over his dismissal.
In documents obtained by NewsNow, Singh through his lawyer, senior council Ashton Chase, has given the Sugar Corporation 14 days to show why his dismissal was not in breach of his contract. Chase wrote to the company seeking to recover what he describes as fair and reasonable financial treatment and compensation for his client.
However, the alleged infractions which led to his firing are coming to light and include violation of the corporation’s code of conduct. He purportedly used his office as CEO to elicit favors from a female employee at Rose Hall Estate and allegedly rewarded her with a promotion and an increased remuneration.
The document also stated that he (Singh) violated the corporation’s procurement procedure in the obtaining of equipment, spares and other items.
Additionally, the former GuySuCo head is accused of breaching the company’s disciplinary procedure after arbitrarily dismissing a number of employees.
He is also accused of ignoring and condoning acts of a certain employee whose conduct warranted the institution of disciplinary measures, but instead the employee was shielded by Singh.
Additionally, he reportedly deviated from Cabinet’s decision with the unauthorized sale of 2.6792 acres of land at Plantation Good Hope, East Bank Demerara to an individual.
He also procured one Whole Stalk harvester for mechanized harvesting at the cost of $19.2M despite technical advice to the contrary from the corporation’s technical personnel. The machine is said to be a wasted asset which is wholly unsuitable for operation throughout the entire cultivation.
Singh also entered into a management agreement with Global Casetech and Global Canesugar Services out of India for management services on a number of estates at unreasonably high cost and without approval of the Board of Directors.
During the period when he was fired he was accused of deliberately misleading the Minister of Agriculture regarding the true financial status of the Corporation in May 2015, indicating that the Corporation had sufficient cash flow to sustain it until the end of the month.
Singh was on contract for 5 years from May 2013, but was dismissed on June 3rd his lawyer is contending that his dismissal was without just cause and without due redress for the loss of damage occasioned by the unjustified action.
Singh has more than 3 years left on his contract and his client is reportedly seeking 6 months remuneration in lieu of notice.
He was earning US$12,530 a month and $70,000 in allowances. In addition NewsNow understands that he was given housing and amenities, including telephone, electricity and water, provision of a vehicle and a car, along with six weeks leave, leave passage in excess of 1.1 million dollars and a gratuity every six months.
