THATTA, April 4: The district government has directed managements of the four sugar mills in Thatta district to pay growers within the next week and adjust the sugar cess recoveries so that the development schemes, specially the farm-to- market roads could be completed within the stipulated time.

The directives were issued in a meeting between growers and the management of the sugar mills.

The meeting was presided over by DCO Mohammad Usman Panhwar and was also attended by MNA Syed Ayaz Shah Shirazi.

Growers had earlier complained that the Shah Murad Sugar Mill, Deewan Sugar Mill, and Al-Asif and Laar Sugar Mills were delaying payments outstanding against the sugarcane procured by them and were also levying exorbitant transport charges.

It also observed that the delay in payment of sugar cess funds had resulted in interruptions in development schemes.

Growers were represented by Abdul Hayee Palejo while Abdul Hussain Buledi, Rao Shafqat and others participated on behalf of the factories.