KARACHI, Sept 28: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim on Tuesday announced that sugarcane crushing would start from October 15.

Chairing a meeting of officials of Agriculture Department, members of Sugar Mills Association of Pakistan (PSMA) and representatives of Abadgar, the chief minister pointed out that various problems were being confronted due to shortage of water including sowing and harvesting of crops.

He described the water shortage a natural phenomenon and said that the government wanted to start the crushing season from October 1. He called for collective working by sugar mill owners and Abadgars and stressed the need for discouragement of broker's role.

He said strict action would be taken against those mills encouraging the elements playing the role of middle man. Dr Arbab directed the Secretary Agriculture and Cane Commissioner Sindh to prepare a list of such persons and arrest them.

The delegation of Abadgars assured the chief minister of their full cooperation. After listening to the problems of sugar mills and Abadgars the chief minister decided to start sugarcane crushing from October 15.

He said in case sugar mills do not start crushing from October 15 then sugarcane of Sindh would be sent to the zamindars of Punjab and abadgars would be allowed to produce gur from the sugarcane.

The PSMA representatives assured the chief minister of their full cooperation and announced that sugar mills would start crushing by October 15. They told the chief minister that a list of cane crushing sugar mills would also be submitted within three days.

The meeting was informed about the huge amounts in respect of quality premium outstanding against the mills. The dues come to Rs1.718 billion for the year 2002-03 and Rs1.173 billion for the year 2003-04. Besides, a sum of Rs73 million were outstanding against the mills on account of sugarcane development cess and Rs41.221 million in respect of fine. -APP