MUZAFFARGARH: The Punjab cane commissioner has directed all deputy commissioners (DCs) of Punjab to bind sugar mills in their jurisdiction to buy the variety 59-Jhang (NSG-59), which sugar mills located in Muzaffargarh district and other areas were reluctant to buy. Muzaffargarh farmers were concerned about the mills` rejection to purchase the variety.

According to a notification, on Dec 9, Punjab Cane Commissioner Hussain Bahadur held a meeting with DCs, except for those in Lahore, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, and Rawalpindi, and asked them to ensure that sugar mills buy Jhang-59 (NSG-59) cane.

Representatives from the All Pakistan Sugar Mills Association and notified growers attended the meeting.

The cane commissioner declared the cane variety had not been notified as aprohibited one by his office for cultivation in line with Section 14(A) of the Punjab Sugar Factories Control Act of 1950.

Farmers said some sugar mills bought this variety, but mostly refrained from doing so. The meeting concluded unanimously that in this crushing season, all sugar mills will purchase this variety at government-fixed rates.

In Muzaffargarh district`s Tandlianwala Sugar Mills, and Kot Addu district`s Sheikhu Sugar Mills and Fatima Sugar Mills the crushing activity was ongoing, and they have started buying 59-Jhang from farmers.

An official of a sugar mill said that the variety is disliked by the mills because it is hard andits stickisheavierthan other varieties.

This time, mills are paying dues to farmers 10 days after buying their cane loads.

They demanded that the cane commissioner make a special team to ensure the release ofon-spotcane dues.