LAHORE, Sept 4: Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has directed the food department to redress the complaints of sugarcane growers and ensure payment of their dues in time.

Chairing a meeting to review the implementation of development schemes out of sugarcane cess fund here on Saturday, the chief minister said the sugarcane commissionerate should ensure expediting infrastructural development in the crop areas.

He said new roads and bridges would be constructed to augment the means of communication and movement of sugarcane produce.

The CM directed the food secretary to evolve a three-year project for construction of bridges and roads in sugarcane areas, especially those which were neglected in the past.

He also directed expeditious completion of uplift schemes launched out of sugarcess fund to provide relief to the growers.

He said the government was also formulating a comprehensive strategy to develop the industry on modern and scientific lines.

Mr Elahi ordered quick action in removing the complaints of growers with regard to their payments by sugar mills.

Food Secretary Shahid Husain Raja told the meeting that a research and development programme had been chalked out with the collaboration of the Faisalabad Agriculture University to enhance productivity of sugarcane and modernize the industry.