Sugar prices to be lowered in Ramazan
Govt’s assessment suggested that sugar production would be 260,000 tons less than the annual consumption requirement next year due to the widespread damage to sugarcane crop in floods. Photo: File
The Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) agreed to provide sugar to consumers at lower prices during the upcoming holy month of Ramazan.
According to an Industries department spokesman, the decision was made during a meeting held between a PSMA delegation led by Chairman Chaudhry Zaka Ashraf and Caretaker Provincial Minister for Industries SM Tanveer on Sunday.
Mills will provide cheaper sugar at sale points designated by the respective district administrations, while millers will determine the reduction in prices later this week.
The supply of low-priced sugar is expected to start one day before the start of Ramazan.
Chaudhry Zaka Ashraf said that on the directives of the Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister, cheap sugar would be provided during Ramazan and the mechanism to supply sugar would be worked out in consultation with the relevant departments.
Caretaker Minister SM Tanveer said that the Punjab government was giving a historic Ramazan package this year, as the supply of free flour to deserving families had been started and the supply of cheap sugar would provide additional relief to the public.
He appreciated sugar mill owners for supplying the commodity at lower prices.
Provincial Secretary Food Muhammad Zaman, DG Industries and other officers concerned were also present at the meeting, while the PSMA delegation included Secretary General Sugar Mills Association Sohail Shehzad, Imran Ahmed and others.
Meanwhile, Provincial Secretary Industries and Commerce Ehsan Bhutta and Secretary Livestock and Dairy Development Muhammad Masoud Anwar jointly chaired a meeting with a delegation from Poultry Association of Pakistan at the Punjab Industries Department.
The meeting reviewed poultry prices and supply chain during Ramazan and after detailed deliberations, it was decided that the provincial government would consult federal government regarding the import of GMO soybeans on a priority basis.