Federal government has decided to take control of sugar stock and placed the names of sugar mill owners in ECL, reported 24NewsHDTV Channel.
Ministry for National Food Security and Research officials has said that within few days names of the millers will be disclosed. After the decision, Food officials have taken control of 19 lakh metric tonnes sugar stock of the mill owners. The government has appointed FBR agents on stocks besides activation of track and trace system.
Meanwhile, Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain has dispelled the impression regarding the shortage of sugar and said sufficient stock of sugar is available in the country.
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Thursday, he said the government will strictly enforce the newly fixed price of sugar which is within the range of general public. He made it clear that growers of sugarcane will not be impacted with the decision of importing sugar in the country. The Minister said during current year only five point eight million metric tons of sugar was produced against the estimation of seven million metric tons.
He said one point three million metric tons of sugar was exported last year as one point three million metric tons surplus sugar was available in the stock. Rana Tanveer Hussain said the government is taking strict action against hoarders, who are trying to create artificial shortage of the commodity in the country.