KARACHI (March 15 2004): The Sindh Abadgar Board has decided to get supply of sugarcane to the mills suspended because of non-payment of growers' outstanding dues by mills management's.

The Board has published pamphlets which are being distributed among the growers. Initially, the growers in three districts have been asked to stop supply to two mills, namely Sakrand and Alnoor situated in Naushahro Feroze and Nawabshah Districts.

The outstanding dues mostly relate to quality premium of last year. This amounts to over a billion rupees which has become a big issue.

The federal government has appointed a committee to look into the matter. Chairman of the Sindh Sugar Cane Growers Association Qurban Ali Shah, commenting on the appointment of this committee, said that "It was an eyewash".

Sources close to the growers' group said that decision of the Sindh Abadgar Board to stop the supply of cane to mills cannot be implemented as the growers are helpless and cannot retain their cane and they have to sell it to the mills at any cost.

 Courtesy Business Recorder