Sugar crisis persists

PESHAWAR: The sugar distributed in 10 scattered places in the provincial metropolis brought price of the essential commodity to Rs70 per kg, but it was not easily available in the city district as the sugar mills did not release any the commodity Thursday after the Supreme Court decision seeking assurance from the federal and provincial governments to ensure availability of the sweetener to the domestic consumers at Rs40 per kg.

An official of the food department told The News that the mills in the province did not release any sugar because they were still apparently uncertain about the price fixing mechanism as

the Supreme Court had asked the government, Trading Corporation of Pakistan and sugar mills to put their heads together and evolve a mechanism for selling sugar at Rs36 to Rs40 to the consumers.

He said the mills owners had bought more time to mint a few more bucks out of the new developments. The official said the crisis might persist for another week or so as the mills owners seem to be in no hurry to sit with the government and TCP to device any price fixing mechanism.

He said the district administration distributed the sugar to the nominated dealers in the city, but it failed to ensure its sale on fixed prices and most of the commodity normally landed at hoarders’ godowns.

The official said according to the district administration, 1200 tonnes of sugar was

distributed in the city against its 500 tonnes requirement, but it was not easily available at any market and locality across the provincial metropolis.

The official added that they had also received the report on Thursday that the 50kgs bag of sugar was sold to the dealers at Rs1975 instead of its official price of Rs1940, therefore, the dealers in many retail markets (where-in sugar was available at all) was selling it at Rs70 to Rs80.

He added that they had also received the reports of releasing the sugar to the blue-eyed boys of those at the helm of affairs. He also referred to one such case in which one truck loaded with 240 bags of 50 kgs was brought to the Qayyum Sports Complex and distributed secretly to those called on phone by the representative of a politician.

When contacted, ration controller, Saleem Iqbal, denied the reports and said that they distributed 10 trucks each loaded with 240 bags of 50kgs in city localities including Hayatabad, Ring Road, Dilazak Road, Nothia, Gulbahar (Ishrat cinema road), Yakatoot (Zargar Abad), Charsadda road, Arbab Landai, Subzi Mandi and University Town road area.

He said these trucks were distributed in the presence of public representatives or their nominees.He also said that no sugar was distributed on Friday. However, it was released late in the evening and could not be distributed to the dealers, he added.

NWFP director food Abdul Ghafoor Baig has been staying in DI Khan for the last

one week to ensure the transportation of about 60 trucks carrying some 720 tonnes

of sugar, but the entire consignment had not arrived yet. Some trucks are still held up in Bannu because the road is blocked due to the Waziristan operation.
Source thenews.com.pk