December 24, 2001	Monday	Shawwal 8, 1422

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DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Dec 23: Local sugarcane growers have complained that the administration of Chashma Sugar Mills is creating several problems for them.

The government has increased the market price of sugarcane from Rs32 to Rs48 per 40kg, but the administration of Chashma Sugar Mills is alleged to have refused to buy sugarcane at the new price, denying having received any notification regarding the new price.

Sources said indents were issued to unauthorized people, who were making a lot of money by selling the indents to the growers.

It was learnt that even sugarcane manager Younis Khan and his deputy Syed Amin were involved in the business of indents. They were alleged to have set up their own purchase centres in different areas in Punjab and that their agents purchased sugarcane at lower prices.

A status quo was granted in favour of Chashma Sugar Mills banning export of sugarcane produce to any other mills and as such the growers have no option but to accept the mills’ monopoly. However, the purchase of sugarcane from Punjab was not prohibited under this status quo order.

The growers have also complained of a technical fault in the weighing system of the mills.