The Punjab Cane Commissioner has announced that action will be initiated starting today against sugar mills that have failed to begin the crushing season.
Despite government directives, the majority of sugar mills in Punjab have refused to start crushing. The Punjab government had set November 15 as the deadline to commence crushing; however, out of 41 sugar mills in the province, only five have begun operations.
According to the Cane Commissioner, strict action will now be taken against mills that have not adhered to the government’s orders. He added that only the sugar mills owned by the Sharif family have started crushing on the given deadline. The delay by most mills is raising concerns of further increases in sugar prices.
Meanwhile, Khalid Bath, Chairman of the Farmers’ Ittehad, stated that mill owners are deliberately delaying the crushing season in an attempt to purchase sugarcane at lower prices.
It is worth noting that sugar is currently being sold nationwide at prices ranging between Rs. 200 and Rs. 229 per kilogram.
