ZCZC
BSS-29
SUGARCANE-ARREARS-DEMAND
Sugarcane growers demand settlement of arrears
DHAKA, Feb 13, 2019 (BSS) – Bangladesh Sugar Mill Sugarcane Cultivator
Federation (BSMSCF) today demanded the payment of arrears of Taka 250 crore
to the sugarcane cultivators of Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries
Corporation (BSFIC).
BSMSCF leaders placed the demand to Industries Minister Nurul Majid
Mahmud Humayun as they went to meet him at his ministry office. State
minister for industries Kamal Ahmed Mojumder was present on the occasion.
The leaders said if their demand is not met on time, the sugarcane
cultivators will become reluctant to cultivate sugarcane as they do not get
the arrears for supplying sugarcane to the 15 state-owned sugar mills for
long.
They feared that if the non-payment issue continues, the sugar mills
would face supply crisis of sugarcane in the next season.
The leaders requested the minister to increase the import duty of raw
sugar to save the country’s sugar industry. They also suggested the ministry
to organize a tripartite meeting to identify and solve the existing problems
of the sugar industry.
The industries minister said the present government would provide
necessary policy support to protect the interest of the sugar industry. He
also assured the BSMSCF leaders to minimize the existing administrative
problems.
The state minister said necessary measures would be taken to bring the
unused land of all sugar mills under cultivation.
BSMSCF President Alhaj Md Mazharul Huq Prodhan, MP, senior vice
president Alhaj Md Faridul Huq Khan Dulal, MP, general secretary Alhaj Md
Shahjahan Ali Badshah and other office bearers were present.
BSS/MAK/ARS/1846 hrs