Bitter sweet: Controlling sugarcane prices

FAISALABAD: The Regional Police Officer (RPO) has directed all police officials to take strict action against the tout mafia which is reportedly exploiting and looting sugarcane growers in the district. The RPO said that the growers produce sugarcane after hectic efforts and heavy input cost, but the tout mafia was making arbitrary cuts in payment and forcing the farmers to sell their produce at lower rates. “Such elements will not be tolerated at all. All police officials need to be vigilant in this regard and all police officials caught making price cuts in sugar cane should be arrested,” he added. The RPO said that several police teams would be responsible for monitoring sugarcane prices in the district over the next three weeks.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 26^th, 2011.