LAHORE, June 17: The sugar industry, which is playing an important role for the development of the rural/backward areas of the country, has not been given relief in the budget.

A spokesman of the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association said here on Monday that this industry was paying more than Rs1.5 billion in taxes and was among the largest employers in the country.

He said the government had levied 15 per cent GST on all industries except the sugar industry, which was forced to pay extra three per cent if the commodity was sold to non-registered buyers.

It is the duty of the government to get everyone registered with the sales tax department, the spokesman said, demanding that at least the extra GST should immediately be withdrawn in the present budget.