Punjab finance deparment releases Rs1.83bn for development schemes

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Secretary Food Punjab Irfan Ali disclosed here on Saturday that a sum of over Rs.1.83 billion has been released by the provincial finance department from the sugar cane (development) cess.

In a statement issued today, he said that this amount was released for the year 2010 for 30 districts of the province for development schemes. Regarding sugar stocks, he said 426,316 tonnes of sugar was present with the sugar mills in Punjab while 130,692 tonnes of sugar stocks were lying with the trading corporation of Pakistan.

He further stated that the sugar mills in the province are functional and have already started procurement of sugar cane and its crushing. These mills are buying sugar cane at the rate of Rs.150 per maund. Secretary Food said that the cane commissioner Punjab himself is monitoring the procurement process to ensure that farmers get right price for their sugar cane. Cane commissioner is also inspecting the weighing machines of the mills to avoid any sort of exploitation of the growers.