FAISALABAD, Dec 9: The local Farmers Association has threatened that growers will take out protest rallies if the government does not change its policies on present crisis.

This was stated by FAF president Tahir Saeed while talking to newsmen here on Sunday.

He alleged the government had given free hand to sugar mills’ owners to dictate their terms in cane purchase as two federal ministers were providing protection to them.

He said the owners had been purchasing cane from the growers from Rs30 to 35 per 40kg, a price which did not even meet the production cost.

According to the FAF chief, influence of the ‘mafia’ could be judged from the fact that for the first time the government had exempted the sugar mills from purchasing cane at the support price and sugar cess.

He pointed out that almost all the sugar mills making payment to the growers after deducting their share of the cess. The fund, which should be spent on the construction and maintenance of roads from farm to mills, had been misused, he added.

He said both the government and private sector had never tried to develop new varieties of sugar cane and handed financial losses to farmers who had to depend on old varieties without genetic characteristics.

He urged the federal government to announce a comprehensive policy and ensure the availability of disease-free seeds of new varieties to the farmers. The government should support farmers with the demarcation of sugar cane zones, by minimizing prices of produce in consonance with the inputs of the growers, transparent spending of sugar cess funds and taking action against the high-ups involved in corruption.

Ramazan bazaars: Poor quality of foodstuff is on sale in various utility stores, Sunday and Ramazan bazaars as the local administration fails to check it despite orders by the Punjab government.

During a round of these bazaars here on Sunday, it was observed that shopkeepers were selling rotten fruits and vegetables.

Several consumers complained that a majority of the utility stores in the city had been selling adulterated items like gram-powder, spices, dates, pulses, etc. Similarly, detergent powders, soap, cooking oil and 20-kg bag of atta, are being sold at higher rates.

Since most of these bazaars have been set-up on the green belts, roadsides and parks of the city, traffic jams have become a permanent feature.

ARRESTED: Local police on Sunday claimed to have arrested two persons including a prayer leader.