March 10, 2008	Monday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 1, 1429

FAISALABAD, March 9: Scores of sugarcane farmers on Sunday staged a protest demonstration on Narwala Road against sugar millers and weigh scale owners for not paying them the fixed price.

Protesters carrying banners and placards, led by farmers representative Shehbaz Kisana, raised slogans against the government officials for not extending help to growers as they were being allegedly fleeced by millers and weigh scale owners.

The growers also blocked traffic for three hours by burning tyres.

Addressing the participants, Shehbaz Kisana said farmers had been running from pillar to post for many days to seek support of government departments, but no body bothered to intervene and ensure payment according to the fixed cane price.

He said the government had fixed Rs65 per 40kg sugarcane price, however, millers and owners of weighing scales were forcing them to sell crop at Rs45 per 40kg.

“The millers are also deducting 40 per cent of their total payment which is deplorable and farmers are receiving only Rs25 for 40 kilo sugarcane,” he said.

The enraged farmers said if the government did not take immediate steps to ensure official rates to them, they would be forced not to grow cane next season.

They demanded registration of cases against persons who were fleecing the farmers.

Sources said a delegation of sugarcane growers also called on district government officers, including DCO Azam Suleman, and apprised them of the situation.

Talking to Dawn, Shehbaz Kisana said the recent surge in petroleum prices had further squeezed cane growers as transporters increased fares.