Conversion of CPRs into cheques: Ministry not allowed to deviate from cabinet''s decision

The federal cabinet has reportedly refused to allow Ministry and Production (MoI&P) to deviate from cabinet''s six-year old decision regarding conversion of Cane Purchase Receipt (CPR) into a cheque meant to facilitate sugarcane growers, well-informed sources told Business Recorder.
According to the prevalent procedure each Ministry has to submit report on implementation of the cabinet, ECC and CCoP decisions. The percentage of implementation on cabinet decision is about 80 per cent.
The sources said, the federal cabinet headed by the then Prime Minister, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani while approving the National Sugar Policy on February 1, 2012 had also decided that Advisor to the Prime Minister on Law along with Secretaries of Finance and Industries would examine the issue of feasibility of Cane Purchase Receipt (CPR) mechanism to be converted into cheques, in consultation with stakeholders and formulate recommendations.
In a meeting of stakeholders convened in the Ministry of Industries and Production on July 16, 2012 the main recommendations/proposals made with reference to CPR were as follows: (i) sugarcane growers be paid by sugar mills through cheques with attached uniform pattern of CPR showing rate and quantity and;(ii) the provincial Cane Commissioners will ensure inclusion of quantity and price in CPR. In case of any problem, they will seek assistance and support of District Co-ordination Officers (DCOs).
According to sources, during course of discussion, it was pointed out that Industries and Production Division had consulted all stakeholders but serious reservations had been shown by the Law and Justice Division and Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA). Therefore, CPR mechanism to be converted into cheques could not be agreed upon and implemented as per decision of the Cabinet.
The cabinet was informed that the CPR mechanism, if converted into bank cheques, will support documentation of the agriculture sector in the economy and will also safeguard interests of the growers, the sources continued.
After brief discussion on the matter, the Ministry of Industries and Production, in terms of rule 16(1)(m) of the Rules of Business, sought approval of the cabinet for deviating from the earlier decision of the cabinet on Cane Purchase Receipt, the cabinet decided that the ministry concerned should carefully re-examine the proposal vis-à-vis role of the federal government in the matter.
The sources said, Council of Common Interests (CCI) headed by the prime minister has already decided that as matters relating to sugar have been devolved to the provinces, the federal government would not have any role in sugar issues including rebate in future.