LAHORE – The Punjab government has fixed minimum purchase price of sugarcane at the factory rate as well as at the Cane Purchase Centres, for the crushing season 2012-13 at Rs 170 per 40 kg or Rs425 per 100 kg (per quintal) or Rs4250 per metric ton. However, the sugar factories may deduct from the purchase price the transportation charges incurred by them on the cane purchased at purchase centres and other locations away from the factory gate at the rate of Rs1.25 per quintal (100 kg) per kilometre subject to a maximum deduction for a distance of 40 km(s) from the factory gate.The provincial government has also fixed the rate of Sugarcane (Dev) Cess at Rs2 per 40 kg or Rs5 per 100 kg (per quintal) or Rs50 per metric ton for the crushing season 2012-13.The incidences of the Cess amount shall be shared equally by the sugar mills and the person (grower) selling sugarcane to the mill. In case the sugarcane obtained from the sugar mills own farm, the Cess at the rate of Rs2 per 40 kg or Rs5 per 100 kg (per quintal) or Rs50 per metric ton shall be paid by the mill.