July 07, 2008	Monday	Rajab 3, 1429

HYDERABAD, July 6: The Sindh Abadgar Board has observed that confusion at the highest level of government has created an opportunity for sugar industry, fertiliser companies, tractor manufacturers, multinational companies, cartels, smugglers, hoarders, black marketeers and corruption mafia to take over control of the country’s economy.

The board, which met here on Saturday, believed that these forces had led the country to an economic disaster, putting the very solidarity of the federation in jeopardy.

The meeting expressed surprise over raise in the price of urea to Rs625 per bag from Rs605 per bag despite abolition of 15 per cent GST on fertilisers and Rs12 billion subsidy for fertiliser companies. The raise, which was simply incomprehensible after announcement of concessions, should instead have been fixed at Rs515 per bag, the meeting said.

The meeting said that the fertiliser companies and dealers had blackmailed the government after May 15, 2008 by playing on the unavailability of urea for cotton, rice and sugarcane crops, forcing growers to pay Rs100 per bag more in the black market.

The meeting urged the government to order an inquiry into why the 18 per cent increase in the prices of petrol, diesel and gas was charged with effect from June 28 instead of the start of fiscal year on July 1.

The growers’ leaders pointed out that the cane growers had produced record sugarcane crop of 17 million tons even in the face of heavy odds but the mills had still not paid them Rs9,750 million dues.

They demanded an inquiry against sugar mill owners for defying the government’s writ and feared the government would have to import Rs80 billion worth sugar in 2009-10 despite record production of sugar. Where had the previous and this year’s stock gone, they asked.The meeting described the perennial water shortage problem as a cancer for the province and demanded that the chief minister announce in clear terms as to when the water rotation programme would come to an end.

The meeting urged the chief minister to ensure implementation of 1991 water accord in letter and spirit and stop political interference in the process of postings and transfers of irrigation officials.

The meeting urged the government to carry out desilting of all the waterways, which had been filled with silt by floodwaters from Balochistan last year.

The board leaders advised the government to give a free hand to DPOs to bring law and order situation under control and free the province from the clutches of criminals and bandits.

The meeting observed that lawlessness had always seriously affected industrial and agricultural production, therefore, the government should take effective measures to restore peace and tranquillity in the province.