LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday chaired a high-level meeting on problems being faced by the sugarcane growers. The meeting reviewed payment of dues to the farmers by sugar mill owners.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister directed that the availability of sugarcane at Rs180 be ensured and further added that if there was ever a complaint of decrease in weight then there will be a strong action against the responsible ones.
He also directed to make sure digital monitoring of the entire process of payments and strict action against mill owners who did not pay full amount or deduct the sugarcane crop. He said that action would not be taken against the employees, but against the owner. “If someone strives to snatch the rights of the farmers, then I will be standing with the farmers,” the CM assured.
The CM said that interests of the workers were very dear to him and he will protect these at all costs. He warned against the use of illegal Kunday, and said that if any such complaint cropped up he would not spare the responsible persons.
The chief minister directed that the provincial ministers and other secretaries should visit their assigned districts regularly instead of sitting in the offices and stay in the field to protect the interests of farmers.
Kisan Ithead Group President Khalid Khokhar said that the farmers were grateful to the CM for the way he was working to protect their interests.
Sugar Mills Association President Javed Kanyi said that they would ensure implementation of the decision regarding payments to the sugarcanecultivators. Provincial Minister Bilal Yasin, Sheikh Allahuuddin, spokesman of the Punjab government Malik Ahmed Khan, Chief Secretary, Inspector General Police and farmers’ representatives attended the meeting.
Provincial Minister for Agriculture Naeem Akhtar Bhabha Vahari and President Sugar Mills Association Punjab Zone Ahsan Latif Khushab attended the meeting via Video-link.