FAISALABAD, March 11: Following protests by cane growers, the City District Government Faisalabad (CDG-F) has asked sugar mill owners to clear farmers’ dues or face the music, it is learnt here.

However, no deadline for payment or action was given.

Sources said district nazim Rana Zahid Touseef during a meeting of the district government officers and representatives of sugar mills issued instructions to resolve the issue.

He asked the millers to refrain from fleecing growers and pay them according to the fixed price. He said the government would take stern action if any mill or weigh scale owner was found guilty of deduction from farmers under the pretext of different charges.

Sources said the district nazim directed the officials to take action against weigh scale owners and sugar millers for violation of rules. He also directed them to extend all-out assistance to farmers for smooth selling of sugarcane to mills. Mr Touseef also asked the deputy district officer (revenue) to raid weigh scales to which farmers were complaining.

On March 9, scores of sugarcane farmers had staged a protest demonstration on Narwala Road and blocked traffic for three hours against sugar millers and weigh scale owners for not paying them the fixed price.

Farmers said the government had fixed Rs65 per 40kg sugarcane price, while millers and owners of weighing scales were forcing them to sell crop at Rs45 per 40 kilo. They said the millers were also deducting 40 per cent of their total amount and paying only Rs25 for 40 kilo sugarcane.