Sarwar signs amended Act for payments to farmers in 45 days

LAHORE: Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar on Thursday signed the Punjab Sugar Factories (Control) (Amendment) Act 2021 into law under which the sugar mills owners have been bound to make payments to the sugarcane farmers within 45 days through bank transactions.

With the addition of a new clause to the Punjab Sugar Factories (Control) (Amendment) Act 2021, the cane commissioner has been empowered to initiate strict action against the violators and ensure recovery from the sugar mills.

Introducing significant changes to provide relief to the farmers in the act, the Punjab government has adopted yet another farmer-friendly initiative which will benefit the sugarcane farmers in the long run.

In the new act 2021, a new clause has been added regarding payments to the farmers. The sugar mills will be bound to give payments to the farmers through banks. According to the amended act, sugar mills will only be allowed crushing on the dates given by the government.

Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar said that sugar mills had been made bound to make payments to the farmers within 45 days through banks. The sugarcane growers will not have to face difficulties for their payments.

It is a clear policy of the government that no injustice will be tolerated in this regard. Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar said farmers had made great contributions to the economic development of Pakistan, adding the government stood by all farmers, including the canegrowers.

He said all government institutions stood united with the farmers under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, adding that the regulatory institutions would take strict and speedy action against injustice.