NWFP government claims to control Sugar Crisis within two days

Peshawar, October 14, =

To over cum sugar crisis in NWFP the provincial government has taken control of the sugar purchased by Trading Corporation Pakistan (TCP) and started pouring the sugar to the local market to ensure availability of the sweetener at the rate fixed by Supreme Court of Pakistan.

The DCOs and commissioners are being directed to arrest all those who will violate the Supreme Court’s decision and ensure that no trader will sell sugar above Rs 40 the rate fixed by Supreme Court, the food minister NWFP Shuja Salam Khan told media men.

Food Minister NWFP said government was transferring 40 thousand tone sugar from Chasma Sugar mill D.I khan to various parts of the province and providing 40 tone sugar to every district of the province whereas the capital city was being provided 60 tone sugar to over cum the shortage of sugar.

“We have taken the sugar purchased by TCP in our own control and now supplying it to the market which will help to bring the rates down and we are hopeful that the crisis will overcome within two day, “Shuja Salam Khan said adding that the stalk will be enough for two months’ use of the province.

Shuja Salam said the crisis emerged in the province due to stoppage of sugar supply from Punjab as NWFP needs 6.50 Lakh tones sugar annually and only produce 2.5 lakh tones therefore fulfill its needs the province depends on Punjab and Sindh. If Punjab, the minister said, stop supply to food items to the province which was violation of article 151 of the constitution, then crisis will definitely emerge.

Replying to a query, food minister said smuggling of sugar will be very difficult as the mechanism made for its distribution was very strict and collecting sugar from different points for the purpose to smuggle it out side of the province will be very difficult.

Food minister informed as per Supreme Court’s decision government will provide sugar to those dealers who were already been registered with FBR in sales tax procedure.

It is to be mentioned that sugar in local market was available at Rs 80 per KG which further infuriated the people.