Lahore: Fear of sugar price hike has once again become prominent across the province after the Punjab government officially announced the imposition of sugar cess on sugar. This decision has come at a time when the common citizens are already facing inflationary pressures.
According to the provincial government’s notification, a sugar cess of Rs 5 has been imposed on a 40-kilogram bag of sugar, which will be applicable throughout the province under the Punjab Finance Act 1964. Officials say that the amount of this cess will be spent on improving basic facilities related to the sugar industry.
According to officials, sugar mills will pay Rs 2.50 out of this cess while farmers will pay Rs 2.50. However, market sources say that the impact of this additional cost is likely to be passed on to consumers eventually, due to which sugar may become more expensive.
Shopkeepers say that if sugar mills increase prices, they will also be forced to increase rates. A grocery store owner said that sugar has already become a basic necessity for many families, and any further increase in it will cause trouble for the people.
The government says that the revenue generated from the sugar cess will be spent on the construction, repair and improvement of roads leading to sugar mills, which will improve transportation in rural areas and make it easier for farmers to transport their crops to the market.
According to experts, the government must introduce an effective system to monitor prices so that there is no illegal profiteering in the name of sugar cess.
Provincial officials say that sugar prices will be closely monitored and action will be taken against those who increase prices illegally.
