Former sugar mill head opposes secretive recruitment

Anandan had earlier reportedly filed a petition with Minister for Commercial Taxes KC Veeramani, who represents the Jolarpet constituency. In his petition, Anandan urged the minister to ensure that the vacancies were not filled up.

“Following my request, the minister spoke to the mill’s MD Jacob Joseph on Thursday and ordered that appointments shouldn’t be made. However, I was informed by mill workers that 13 office staff were asked to come on Friday night to attend the recruiting process. I was told that verification of certificates was under way for potential candidates.”

The petition was filed as Anandan was sceptical over the apparent haste in trying to fill up the existing vacancies. “While the elections for the 16-member cooperative body was announced in the mill, nominations for the post of director will begin on October 6 and the election will be held on October 11. After this, the director will choose the chairman. This is the procedure,” Anandan explained.

When DT Next contacted Jacob Joseph, he said the staff usually work at night to ensure there were no glitches. He added, “I am not at liberty to reveal administrative functions.”

With six more months left for the next crushing season, there was no need for workers to spend the night at the mill now, sources said. “However, at the mills in Ambur and Tirupathur, pre-crushing work is done during the day.”

The office manager at the mill said he was unaware of what was happening in the mill during the night. Anandan said he requested minister Veeramani to intervene and prevent any malpractice.