There is no shortage of sugar in the country while the present hike in sugar prices is due to international phenomenon. The government is alive to the problem of high sugar prices and taking necessary remedial measures to bring the sugar prices down.
Adviser to Prime Minister on Economic Affairs Dr Salman Shah made these observations while talking to newsmen after meeting with the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) here on Saturday.
Dr Salman maintained that during Saturday''s meeting, representatives of PSMA had agreed that all sugar mills would sell its 10 percent of the total production to the federal government which would be handed over to the Utility Stores Corporation for sale to the common people on lower rates.
Previously, 32,000 tons of sugar was supplied to the Utility Stores Corporation, which has been increased up to 50,000 tons now.
Dr Salman said the solid measures were being taken to remove apprehensions of sugar mills owners as well as PSMA. He assured that PSMA would be taken into confidence before making any policy.
Central Board of Revenue Chairman Abdullah Yousuf told newsmen that the target assigned to the CBR for collection of revenue of Rs 690 billion would be achieved.
All Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) Chairman Chaudhry Zaka Ashraf told newsmen that the Monopoly Control Authority and Central Board of Revenue (CBR) were teasing the sugar mills on the pretext of checking the stocks of sugar mills. He said the authorities concerned had assured that apprehensions of PSMA would be removed.