This is apropos of the news report regarding the mill owners’ ignorance of the Sindh government directives on beginning sugar cane crushing on time in the province (Nov 16).

According to the news report, only three sugar mills in the province - out of 34 - complied with the notification of the Sindh government directing them to begin crushing sugarcane by November 15.

However, this is not the first time the mill owners have defied government orders. Such delaying tactics have been employed by them every year in order to exert pressure on the farmers and small growers to reduce sugarcane prices and get their demands fulfilled.

The rural economy has already been in shambles due to natural floods and disasters for the last three years. The socio-economic conditions of the farmers and the labouring class have worsened. Majority of flood affectees are still without shelter and other life necessities.

The government has miserably failed in providing them due support to earn livelihoods and in their socio-economic rehabilitation.

Simultaneously, the failure of the government in protecting farmers and small growers to remain afloat in the market would further compound and deteriorate their economic conditions and  increase the poverty level.

I appeal to the government and the mill owners to come up with an understanding as soon as possible to force all the remaining mill owners to begin cane crushing.

This will help reduce the miseries and deprivation of the farmers and the small grower communities.

NISAR RASOOL Nawabshah