RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that interests of the farmers will not be compromised upon at any cost .While directing to initiate indiscriminate action against the sugar mills making deduction in the weight of the sugarcane, he ordered that action will be taken against sugar mills owners found involved in underweight procurement of sugarcane from the farmers.

He added that underweight purchase of sugarcane is a cruelty which will never be allowed. Issuing directions to initiate action against the illegal weighbridges, he said that operation will be continued till the elimination of such illegal structures.

He issued these directions while presiding over a video-conference from Model Town, here Tuesday. During the meeting, a report of the committee constituted to ponder over the problems of the sugarcane farmers, was presented.

The CM directed that FIRs be registered against sugar mills making deduction in the weight of the sugarcane. He said that cases be registered against the elements that have set up illegal weighbridges. He said no compromise will be made with the sugar mills owners on the issue of any underweight purchase. He issued directions to send two more ministers and secretaries to the field and added that Provincial Ministers of Industry, Food and Agriculture along with Secretaries of Industry and Food departments shall remain in the field till further orders.

Provincial Finance Minister Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning & Development, Secretary to Chief Minister, Secretary Finance and concerned officials attended the video link meeting from Model Town, while Provincial Ministers Sheikh Allauddin, Bilal Yasin, Advisor Umer Saif, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Inspector General Police, concerned secretaries, representatives of farmers Khalid Khokhar, Sarfraz Khan, President of Sugar Mills Association Javed Kayani and President Punjab Zone Ahsan Latif participated through the video link from Civil Secretariat. Provincial Minister for Agriculture participated from Khanewal and Secretary Food attended it from Jhang through the video link.