HYDERABAD, Dec 11: The cane commissioner of Sindh on Tuesday stressed that sugar mills were not authorised to impose a self-created zoning system on growers forcing them to sell their produce only to a particular mill. In a press release issued by the commissioner’s office the official said that any attempt by the mills to introduce the so-called system would be against the law.

He said the growers were free to sell their crop to any mill of their choice and a mill would be liable for action under the relevant law if it refused to buy on the plea that the grower was out of its zone.

He said that the growers could file complaint at his office in Block-B of Shahbaz Building, Hyderabad, or reach him on telephone as well.

Under the zoning system, discretely announced by sugar mill owners, the mills are forcing the growers to sell their crop only to the mills of their area.

Grower leaders have strongly criticised the arbitrary system and termed it illegal. It was not only against the law but also violation of the fundamental human rights and free trade policy, they said.

They said that the sugar mills had divided cane growing areas among them as if the province was their fiefdom and demanded that the government should take action the selfish mill owners.