MUZAFFARGARH: District administration has failed to check the middle man involved in exploitation of cane growers by purchasing their crop at far less rate than that fixed by the provincial government, allegedly at the behest of sugar mills.

This season sugarcane crop has been cultivated on more than 500,000 acres in the district. The district administration had announced thatsugar mills would purchase cane at Rs180 per 40 kilogram, the rate fixed by the provincial government.

However, the growers are deprived of the officialprice of their produce through a mechanism involving brokers (middle man).

Under a tacit `agreement` with the growers, the sugar mills depute brokers who have installed weighing machines along various roads, who offer the growers cash payments against their produce but only if they agree on a lower rate of Rs150 per 40kg.

The growers, who are usually hard pressed financially, find the cash payments convenient as compared to the usual process that takes15 days to one month to get the amount at mills counter.

Besides, the mills also exploit the growers by deducting 40-50 mounds per cane-laden vehicle in the name of `wastage` Such brokers` stalls could be seen along various roads in the district where three mills were operatingafterthefourth, Haseeb Waqqas Sugar Mills, owned by theSharifs has stopped operations following court orders.

Deputy Commissioner Saif Anwar Jappa, at a meeting held here three days ago with the sugar mills` representative, had warned them of action if they indulged in can purchase through brokers. He had said cases would be registered against those found involved in such purchase.

But mills administrations, paying no heed to the DC`s warning, were continuing with cane purchase at lower rate.

Farmers have been demanding that the government should take action against the millerbroker `mafia` that was exploiting their financial constraints.

They alleged that cane inspectors who were supposed to check the brokers were hand in clove with the mafia and were doing nothing to check the brokers except slapping minor fines.

Assistant Commissioner Dr Saifullah Bhatti said during a raid he had got registered 25 FIRs against those purchasing cane at roadside weighing machines.

He claimed that government officials were strictly monitoring cane purchase at the mills and he would take action against those involved in illegal practices.

The DC said action would also betaken against the officials demanding bribe from the millers in his name. He added that to check such corrupt officials, he had given his mobile phone number to the mills for reporting any wrongdoing on part of these government employees.