Farmers’ interest: ‘Mills must pay set sugarcane price’

Shahbaz says govt will protect farmers’ interests.

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday said sugar mills must purchase sugarcane from farmers at the prices fixed by the government.

He said the government would protect farmers’ interests.

He said instructions had been issued to district administrations to take action against sugar mills not procuring sugarcane from farmers at fixed rates.



He said the rates fixed by the government would not be slashed. In Faisalabad, District Coordination Officer Noorul Amin Mengal told newsmen that that sugar mills had agreed to purchase sugarcane from growers at Rs180 per 40 kilograms.

He said sugarcane growers had protested against mill owners for forcing them to sell their produce at lower prices.

He said the government had fixed the price at Rs180 per 40kgs whereas many sugar mills were reported to be purchasing sugarcane at Rs150.

He said he had invited representatives of the sugarcane growers as well as mills owners to a meeting at the DCO’s Complex where both sides presented their point of view.

The DCO said the farmers had been assured that the government would protect their interests and no one would be allowed to exploit them.

He said mill owners were warned against purchasing sugarcane at lower rates.

He said after long negotiations, sugar mill owners agreed to buy sugarcane at Rs180 as fixed by the government.

Chief minister meets Chinese energy group president

Shandong Ruyi Group vice president Jerry Liu met Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday.

Progress on two 660-megawatt power plants in Sahiwal was discussed at the meeting.

The chief minister said steps were being taken to cope with the energy crisis. He said work was being carried out on coal-based power projects in Sahiwal with the cooperation of China.

He said incentives were being offered to local and foreign investors for eliminating load shedding from the country.

He said several Chinese companies were investing in energy, infrastructure and other projects.

The chief minister said government was paying special attention to generation of low-cost energy.

Liu said that he was deeply impressed with Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s hard work, determination and commitment.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th, 2014.