PSMA lashes out at Sugar Advisory Board’s role

LAHORE: Pakistan Sugar Mills Association Punjab Zone Chairman, Javed Kayani has strongly deplored the unilateral decision-making by the Sugar Advisory Board.

He lamented the constituent members including the sugar mills and growers were not invited to the meeting therefore all decisions arrived at have no bearing.

The government has so far failed to import the requisite quantity. The sugar industry has been advising the government to keep sufficient stocks, as production estimates for the current season are around 3.2 to 3.3 million tonnes. He said the private sector is reluctant to import high priced sugar because of uncertainty in the market and being apprehensive of government intervention.

Therefore, during our last meeting with Secretary Finance, the Association again reiterated that government should import the quantity required to meet the looming deficit. We have been voicing our concern about the high and escalating prices of sugarcane, which have been manipulated by the middlemen. Javed Kayani said the industry is paying over Rs 240 per 40 kg as against the official support price of Rs 100 per 40 kg. He said if the government is sincere to safeguard the interests of consumers, adequate stocks should have been maintained to avoid the shortages.

source: dailytimes