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MCA urged to take action against sugar mill-owners

ISLAMABAD: Sugarcane growers are pressing the Monopoly Control Authority (MCA) to initiate action on their last year's complaint against sugar mill owners who continue to exploit growers, sources in the Authority told Fortuna on Wednesday.

Sources said that the MCA was considering the issue and wanted to obtain concrete proof against the accused mill owners before initiating any action. "All we have with us so far is allegations and not a single proof of wrong-doing on the part of the sugar mill owners", sources said.

The sugarcane growers filed a complaint to MCA last year accusing the mill owners of underpaying farmer. The farmers alleged that the mill owners use delaying tactics in buying the crop.

The growers pointed out in their complaint that mill owners exploited farmers by making a cartel of their own in an area and telling farmers to supply their produce at rates of the mill owners' choice or risk no sales at all."

The MCA had admitted the complaint and assured the farmers that it would look into the matter. But a year has passed without any action from the Authority. Fortuna