Sugar imports: Govt asked to withdraw 100% increase in duty

Instead of giving relief to consumers, millers are being rewarded: KCCI

KARACHI: Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Iftikhar Ahmed Vohra has asked the government to immediately withdraw the decision taken by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) for a 100% increase in regulatory duty on sugar imports.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Vohra pointed out that the regulatory duty had been increased from 20% to 40% on a commodity that was consumed every day in each and every household of the country.

Globally, the prices of sugar stood low whereas in Pakistan the sweetener was very pricey.

“Instead of providing relief to the consumers by urging mill owners to bring down prices of locally produced sugar, the government raised the regulatory duty on comparatively cheaper imported sugar with a view to making it costlier,” he added.

Vohra termed it an unjust step taken to please a handful of sugar millers, who seemed to be able to manipulate the decisions taken by the ECC.

“The government must refrain from taking steps that create more problems for the public, particularly the poor segment of society as they are already pretty much distressed and overburdened at a time when prices of almost all commodities have risen sharply,” he said.

“Some of the basic commodities being used at every household have gone beyond the approach of common man.”

He urged the higher authorities to take notice of the poor decision-making and take steps to control the prices of household commodities with the single goal of providing relief to the people.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th,  2015.

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