Cane commissioner asks DCs to stop 'off the book' purchases by mills

LAHORE: Punjab Cane Commissioner Muhammad Zaman Wattoo has directed the deputy commissioners of all districts to inspect the sugarcane procurement being carried out by the sugar mills in their respective localities to snub the practice of 'off the book' purchase.

Some growers complained of 'off the book' purchases by sugar millers or middlemen despite clear cut directives by the provincial government to keep the complete account of sale and purchase.

The cane commissioner has directed to take legal action against the millers violating the Punjab Sugar Factories Act, 1950.

The government has fixed the minimum price for 40 kilograms of sugarcane at Rs200 for the current crushing season.

Earlier in the month of September, the Punjab government mandated the sugar millers to carry out their transactions to sugarcane growers via banks in order to avoid complications that may lead to exploitation of the farmers.