Deadline for release of 0.2m metric tonne sugar

PUNJAB Minister for Food Malik Nadeem Kamran has said that sold sugar stocks of 200,000 metric tonne, lying in the godowns of sugar mills, should be handed over to purchasers and the same should be brought in the open market within next 48 hours, otherwise, the stocks will be confiscated and auctioned under the relevant act.

He was presiding over a meeting held to review sugar prices here on Monday. The minister said the process of bringing the sold sugar in the market within 48 hours would be monitored by the government agencies. He said the government would utilise all available resources to provide sugar on cheaper rates to the masses and stern action would be taken against those who were trying to increase the sugar prices by creating its artificial shortage. He directed Food Secretary Muhammad Irfan Elahi and Punjab Cane Commissioner Shahid Hussain to check the stocks of sugar in godowns of all sugar mills and submit a report within 24 hours.

Malik Nadeem Kamran directed the Sugar Mills Association (Punjab Zone) Chairman Javed Kiyani to ensure implementation of the delivery order to provide sugar at utility stores and release of 9,241 metric tonne sugar from the Kashmir Sugar Mills and 2,600 metric tonne sugar from the Brothers Sugar Mills. He said that the government would not allow unjustified increase in price of sugar and action would be taken against profiteers.

Among others, Food Secretary Muhammad Irfan Elahi, Deputy Inspector General Special Branch Faisal Shahkar, Industries Additional Secretary Ali Husain Malik, Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (Punjab Zone) Chairman Javed Kiyani, representatives of Sugar Dealers Association Shaikh Akmal Saleem, Muhammad Yousuf, Utility Stores Zonal Manager Amin Ahsan Gul and Faizan Hameed were present.

Source: The News