Punjab Cane Commissioner on Saturday issued notices to 10 sugar mills for not starting the crushing season, which caused huge losses to farmers.
In the notices, the Punjab Cane Commissioner warned that Rs5 million as fine will be imposed on the sugar mill that fails to start crushing.
The notices were issued to Ashraf Sugar Mills, Baba Farid Sugar Mills, Tandilianwala Sugar Mills, Faisalabad Sugar Mills, Sheikhu Sugar Mills, Tandilianwala-II Sugar Mills, Kashmir Sugar Mills, Seven Star Sugar Mills, RYK Sugar Mills, Pattoki Sugar Mills, and Chinar Sugar Mills.
It is necessary to mention here that the wheat harvest was delayed due to the failure to start the crushing season.
With fresh supplies about to hit the market, officials expect sugar prices to drop by up to Rs10 immediately, offering some relief to consumers who have been feeling the pinch for weeks.
Officials say the timely start of crushing will help put an end to black-market sales and artificial shortages that have been making matters worse for buyers. Earlier, the Cane Commissioner had warned of action against mills that failed to begin crushing within the government’s deadline.
Meanwhile, Kisan Ittehad Chairman Khalid Bath accused mill owners of deliberately delaying operations to buy sugarcane at cheaper rates, saying farmers are once again being pushed into a corner.
