CHINIOT: Lawyers and political and farmer representatives staged a sit-in against the nonpayment of sugarcane dues by sugar mills to growers in Chiniot district. Among the alleged defaulter mills is Ramzan Sugar Mills.

On the call of the Chiniot District Bar Association (DBA), lawyers observed a boycott of court proceedings to raise their voice over long-pending payments.

Led by DBA President Mahar Maqsood Haral and Secretary Imtiaz Hussain Taj, lawyers gathered outside the deputy commissioner`s office, where they held a sit-in. They were later joined by members of Jamaat-i-1slami and representa-tives of various farmer organisations.

Speaking at the protest camp, DBA leaders said that Safina Sugar Mills (Lalian), Madina Sugar Mills (Chiniot) and Ramzan Sugar Mills (Bhowana) owe nearly Rs1 billion to sugarcane growers.

`According to the Sugarcane Act, the deputy commissioner is bound to ensure payments within 15 days of issuing a cash payment receipt (CPR), but no action has been taken despite the crushing season ending two months ago,` said bar secretary Taj.

He added that even some lawyers who are also landowners had supplied sugarcane to these mills and have not received payments.

The lawyers warned of intensified protests if the outstandingdues are not cleared within the next fortnight. After the demonstration, the participants dispersed.

Sources toldDawnthat the three mills collectively bought sugarcane worth billions from thousands of farmers in Chiniot and surrounding areas during the crushing season, which ended in February this year.

While most farmers have received their dues, some middlemen who bought cane from farmers at discounted rates and sold it to the mills are still awaiting payments worth tens of millions.

These middlemen have reportedly posed as farmers and approached the administration for payment, but were unable to provide proof of land ownership or crop cultivation.

Deputy CommissionerSafiullah Gondal toldDawnthat Safina Sugar Mills has cleared nearly 100 percent of payments, Ramzan Sugar Mills has paid 92.4 percent and Madina Sugar Mills has settled over 95 per cent of its dues. Cheques have been issued for the remaining amounts.

`All small farmers have been paid, and Rs50 million was disbursed just before Eid to farmers through Madina Sugar Mills on my directions, based on a list provided by Kissan Ittehad,` he said.

He added that mills have been directed to clear pending payments within 10 days. `Any farmer still awaiting payment can visit the office of Additional Deputy Commissioner General Talha Saeed with a copy of their CPR. They will be paid within 15 days,` he said.