LAHORE: Out of 42 functional sugar mills in Punjab, 25 have made 100 percent payment to the sugarcane growers, Food Secretary Pervaiz Ahmed Khan stated yesterday.
According to the secretary, action was initiated against remaining 17 defaulting sugar mills last month and out of total outstanding amount of Rs2.05 billion, payment of over Rs527.717 million has been made to the sugarcane growers. He further said that strict action under sections 6(2) & 21 of Punjab Sugar Factories Control Act, 1950 has been initiated against seven sugar mills which have been attached/sealed for keeping the payment stopped to the sugarcane growers. General Manager of M/S Adam Sugar Mill, Bahawalnagar has also been arrested under Section 406 PPC for not making payment to the sugarcane growers.–Handout
District Coordination Officer/Additional Cane Commissioner, Bahawalnagar have been directed to inspect cane payment ledger / books of accounts under Rule 4 of the Punjab Sugar Factories Control Rules, 1950, the food secretary added.
He further said that remaining 10 defaulting sugar mills have also been directed to clear the outstanding amount by July 20. In case of failure, they will face the music under the law, he warned.