LAHORE – Amidst the bumper crop of sugarcane in the province, the cane growers have accused the millers of not accepting their yield on the excuse of non-variety product.
The farmers have alleged that management of some sugar mills in district Faisalabad was extorting around 5,000 from each trolley, failing which the sugarcane is rejected and farmers have to return back without selling their produce.
The aggrieved growers further alleged that even District Sugarcane Purchasing, Monitoring and Examining Committee headed by District Co-ordination Officers failed to redress genuine grievances of farmers on the spot.
The growers alleged that management of several sugar mills in district Faisalabad were extorting up to 5,000 per trolley from each farmer failing which the sugarcane is rejected, as millers have enough stock of sugarcane.
Growers stated that mill employees deputed to check the quality of sugarcane did not accept the produce unless Rs5,000 or more is not paid to them.
It is to be noted that under sugarcane act, all DCOs were empowered as Additional Cane Commissioner in their respective districts to address the complaints of farmers related to purchase of sugarcane from them and ensure timely payment besides safeguarding the legitimate interests of growers.
The aggrieved farmers, if any, can directly see the DCOs or send complaints by post and by fax for action or probe into the alleged malpractice.