Non-payment to growers: TCP urged to buy 200,000 tons of sugar

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Chairman Agri Forum Pakistan Muhammad Ibrahim Mughal has drawn the attention of the federal government towards non-payment of sugarcane dues to the growers by the millers on the pretext of delay in procurement of sugar by the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP).

In an open letter to the Prime Minister Gilani and ministers concerned, Mughal said that process of buying of 200,000 tons of sugar from the mills by the TCP was pending for the last one and half months. Sugar millers were making it an excuse and delaying payment to the cane growers.

He alleged the delay by the TCP in procurement of sugar was causing hardships for 900,000 families associated with sugarcane growing in the country.

Mughal was of the view that disposal of additional sugar was a duty of the government so if the government either pay for the additional sugar with the mills or allow them to export the commodity. Otherwise, sugarcane growers would be compelled to burn their crop and come on roads, he warned.

Mughal said the government won hearts of growers by improving the rates of wheat in 2008, but it should pay attention to the cotton, rice and sugarcane growers' plight as well this year. He implored the government to order TCP to immediately buy 200,000 tons of sugar. He implored the government to order TCP to immediately buy 200,000 tons of sugar.