Lahore (Web Desk): Punjab government has issued Sugar Factories Amendment Ordinance, 2020 in order to control sugar mafia.
According to details, delay in payment of dues to sugarcane farmers, illegal deduction in weight and payment will be punishable by three years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5 million.
The ordinance states that sugar mills will be required to issue formal receipts of sugarcane, moreover, sugarcane dues will be credited to the farmer's account.
Sugar Mill Agents will be required to issue official receipts at the mills. Issuing of raw receipt would be a crime. The Cane Commissioner has been empowered to determine and collect the dues of the farmers.
The collection of dues can be done through the Land Revenue Act. the mill owner will be arrested and the mill will be forfeited if the farmers are not paid their dues. The Deputy Commissioners, as Additional Cane Commissioner, will be bound to carry out the arrest and execution orders.
Mill owners will be punished for three-year imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5 million per day for delaying sugarcane crushing process.
The cases have been transferred to Section 30 Magistrate from First Class Magistrate.
According to details, basic changing were made in Punjab Sugar Factories Control Act 1950. Earlier, different governments tried to amend Sugar Factories Act 1950 but every time powerful Sugar Mills lobby stopped government from doing so.
Government spokesperson said: “Amendments in the Sugar Factories Act will protect the rights of sugarcane farmer.