KARACHI: Eight out of 45 sugar mills in Punjab have begun crushing and the rest will commence processing shortly, Punjab Food Minister Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor stated on Wednesday.
“The remaining sugar mills have ignited their boilers and farmers have started harvesting standing cane crop,” he said, while addressing a news conference after reviewing the loading of Punjab’s sugar quota from the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP). “At least 25,000 metric tonnes of imported white refined sugar has been transported to Punjab from Karachi’s port, while the remainder of 125,000 metric tonnes will also be shifted very soon,” the minister added.
In response to a query, Ghafoor said that the provincial government has determined the appropriate price of sugar to be Rs 72 per kilogram. However, he admitted that the price varied in different parts of the province.
“The authorities are determined to stamp out profiteering, hoarding and black marketing of sugar and ensure the equitable distribution of sugar without any discrimination.”
The minister said that the federal government will review both import and export policies; adding that import policy of the country should be free from all types of customs duties and taxes.
“We are a rich nation in terms of agricultural produce, then why are we exporting chicken, meat, fruits, beef and other food items instead of meeting domestic demand?,” he questioned.
“The UAE has a liberal policy which allows the import of all items without any tax imposition,” he said, insinuating that the federal government should frame liberal import and export policies.
Furthermore, the food minister voice serious doubts over the viability of continuing the multi-billion Sasti Roti scheme at a time when the province faced serious financial constraints and had to rehabilitate millions of people displaced by the floods.
He stressed the need for unity elaborating that, “we are currently standing at the point of no return; there is a dire need for all to unite under the flag and work for the betterment of the destitute.”
Sugarcane transport charges rise
By Amar Guriro
KARACHI: The Sindh government has increased the fees for transportation of sugarcane from cultivation areas to sugar mills.
Through a notification issued on Wednesday, Cane Commissioner Sindh Tariq Memon has ordered the revision of transport charges. He justified the decision by citing the recent surge in the price of diesel from Rs 71.15 per litre to Rs 78.92. Analysis of relevant data indicates transportation charges for 40 kilograms of sugarcane are as follows:
Distance (Miles) Rate/Mile
01 – 10 Rs 7.24
11 – 15 Rs 8.40
16 – 20 Rs 9.43
21 – 25 Rs 10.51
26 – 30 Rs 11.93
31 – 35 Rs 13.12
36 – 40 Rs 14.27
41 – 45 Rs 15.81
46 – 50 Rs 16.84
51 – 55 Rs 17.81
56 – 60 Rs 19.02
61 – 65 Rs 20.12
66 – 70 Rs 21.08
