Punjab govt finds evidence about mills selling sugar ‘off the book’
National
January 18, 2021
ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government claimed on Saturday that officials associated with its Cane Department got hands on some “conclusive evidence” against several sugar mills which were selling sugar off the book in an apparent attempt to dodge taxes. There is a strong circumstantial evidence of huge quantities of sugar being sold off-the-book. Following facts point to this illegal practice. If off-the-book purchases from the middlemen and the purchase centres are accounted for, figures of off-the-book sale of sugar go much higher. They (millers) have established their purchase centres in the field where sugarcane is purchased from the farmers. Almost all the sugar mills were found not issuing cane purchase receipts (CPRs) at these centres, cane commissioner Punjab revealed in a letter written to the Punjab Industries Department.
Govt finds evidence of mills selling sugar ‘off the book’
National
January 18, 2021
ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government claimed on Saturday that officials associated with its Cane Department got hands on some “conclusive evidence” against several sugar mills which were selling sugar off the book in an apparent attempt to dodge taxes. There is a strong circumstantial evidence of huge quantities of sugar being sold off-the-book. Following facts point to this illegal practice. If off-the-book purchases from the middlemen and the purchase centres are accounted for, figures of off-the-book sale of sugar go much higher. They (millers) have established their purchase centres in the field where sugarcane is purchased from the farmers. Almost all the sugar mills were found not issuing cane purchase receipts (CPRs) at these centres, cane commissioner Punjab revealed in a letter written to the Punjab Industries Department.
The government’s ‘lopsided’ surveillance mechanism, the alleged sugar cartel and above all hoarding have caused around Rs20 per kilo increase in the price of the sweetener in the last 15 days alone. AFP/File
LAHORE: The government’s ‘lopsided’ surveillance mechanism, the alleged sugar cartel and above all hoarding have caused around Rs20 per kilo increase in the price of the sweetener in the last 15 days alone, leaving the inflation-stricken people with no option but to buy the commodity at higher rates.
“Two or three weeks back, the price of sugar (powdered form) imported by the government was about Rs82 or so. It gradually jumped first to Rs85, Rs87 and then 90 in the retail market. Later, at several shops, this powdered sugar disappeared and was replaced with the locally produced cubic sugar which, at most of the shops, is currently being sold for Rs90 to 100,” a customer standing at a shop in Johar Town told
Sugar mills in Punjab bound to disclose buyers’ details
Business
December 23, 2020
LAHORE: Punjab government on Tuesday made it mandatory for sugar mills to share details of buyers with the authorities to help in resolving the issue of anonymous and untraceable transactions that lead to massive hoarding and tax evasion.
Punjab Food Department bound sugar manufacturers under the law rule 16 (10) of the Punjab Sugar Factories (Control) Rules 1950 to provide full details of buyers in a prescribed form.
The required details will include, name of sugar mills, date of transaction, full name of buyer, father name, CNIC, mobile number, complete business address and quantity sold.