Federal Food Minister, Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan has said the government will amend Sugarcane Act, 1950 to make it an effective tool for preventing delay in the commissioning of sugarcane crushing season by mill owners in future. He was responding to a question by ruling party legislator, Zaffar Iqbal in Senate here on Friday, seeking explanation on measures being taken by the government to prevent delay in the start of crushing operations in three sugarcane producing provinces.
The statement came a day after it was reported that the government, Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) and growers had agreed on a formula to link sugar and cane prices to end the controversy over the issue, once for all.
The Minister said that timely growing of wheat could help enhance the per acre yield of the major food grains and for this purpose the early commissioning of crushing season was imperative.
But, Bosan observed that during the last two years, the sugar mill owners had been intentionally delaying the start of crushing operation, which have resulted in the delay in wheat sowing and reduced per acre yield.
The Minister, however, did not mention what changes would be made in the act.
A source in the ministry told Business Recorder after Senate session that the decision was the result of thinking prevailing at the highest level that the original act contained many loopholes, which allowed mill owners to escape legal action.
He said the act would be amended in a way that it could place the government in a more authoritative position in case of legal action against the mill owners, if they delay the payment of bills of growers outstanding against them and also the crushing.
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