HYDERABAD (March 16 2004): President Sindh Abadgar Board Abdul Majeed Nizamani has extolled the federal government's decision to purchase 0.5 million tons surplus sugar from the sugar industry and added that the government should introduce a durable policy for the sustainable development of the industry.

Talking to newsmen here on Monday, he said the present depressing view of the sugar industry and of agriculture sector called for comprehensive policies and strategies to restructure the entire sector on modern lines.

He said the present policies, it is believed, were introduced under the influence of international donor agencies, including IMF and the World Bank, which had adversely affected the agro-based economy of the country.

He said: "Since the WTO regime is around the corner, policies and strategy should be in line with the other signatories of WTO.

He suggested that to make the agriculture sector economically viable the prices of agriculture produce and that of value-added items should commensurate with the international market.

BONE OF CONTENTION:
He pointed out that the matter of quality premium remains a bone of contention between the cane growers and sugar mills, which should be removed and the amount of quality premium amounted to Rs 1.7 billion should be paid to the growers, who are faced with the worst kind of financial crunch.

He said the GST on chemical fertiliser, pesticides, agriculture machinery and sugar be abolished or minimised to a low level and their availability should be ensured.

He suggested that the power tariff and prices of diesel and other inputs be fixed for at least for two cropping seasons - Rabi and Kharif -so that the growers could also plan their strategy.

Commenting on the news of setting up of inter-ministerial committee on sugar industry, he suggested that the word 'Cane' be also added and the committee should be called Inter-ministerial Committee on Cane and Sugar Industry to widen the scope of the committee.

He also demanded that the committee should be provided a separate budget on permanent basis to deal with problems of sugar industry and cane growers.

Responding to a question, he said at a seminar held at Badin only last week, the cane growers had decided that if their outstanding amount, including the quality premium, was not paid by the sugar mills owners they would seek a relief from the Supreme Court.

He said to meet the court expenses and fee of their solicitor, the growers have also collected a sum of Rs 75,000 and, if needed, more amount would be collected.

Courtesy Business Recorder