Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting here Sunday which reviewed the payments to farmers by sugar mill owners. Addressing the meeting, the CM directed to ensure the availability of sugarcane at a cost of Rs 180 per bag and further added that if there was a complaint of decrease in weight then there would be a severe action against the responsible.
He also directed to make sure digital monitoring of the entire process of payments and taking strict action against mill owners who do not pay full amount or deduct sugarcane crop.
He said that action would not be taken against the employee but against the owner, if someone strives to snatch the rights of the farmers. Punjab CM said that interests of the workers were dear to him and he would protect it at all costs.
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. He asked them for work not claims.
President Kisan Ithead group Khalid Khokhar said that farmers were grateful to the CM for protecting their interests. President Sugar Mill Association Javed Kayani said that they would ensure the implementation of decision regarding payments to sugarcane cultivators. Provincial Minister Bilal Yasin, Sheikh Allahuuddin, spokesman for 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 participated in the meeting through Video-link.