The Punjab government has fixed the minimum purchase price of sugarcane at Rs200 per maund (40kg) for the crushing season 2020-21, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.

The TV channel reported principally all the stakeholders had agreed to the new price with an increase of Rs10 per maund for the next crushing season.

A notification of the new sugarcane minimum purchase price (support price) has been issued. It is relevant to mention here that last year the minimum sugarcane price was Rs190 per maund.

The Food Department said no sugar mill will be allowed to buy sugarcane other than at the fixed price and in case of violation action will be taken as per the Sugar Factory Control Ordinance.

The TV channel reported in case of violation, as per the Sugar Factory Control Ordinance, Rs5 million fine can be imposed or three years imprisonment can be awarded.

It has been reported that sugar mills have to provide original receipt at the time of buying sugarcane from the farmers while the cash would be directly transferred into farmers account.