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Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
'Sugar stocks ample, prices within reach'
Listen to article As a sugar crisis continues to haunt the government which has recently ordered strict monitoring of stocks at mills, the food minister on Thursday claimed that everything was in control and abundant sweetener was available in the country. This comes despite rising prices due to hoarding and profiteering, piling pressure on consumers. Earlier, the government allowed export of sugar and ignored warnings from officials that millers had faced inquiries in the past and further export may again spark a crisis. Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain emphasised that sugar was available in ample quantities and its price was within reach of the common man. Addressing a press conference, the minister said that media was portraying a serious sugar crisis and dismissed claims of sugar export first and then its import. "The reality is different except for one or two years, when sugar was exported in large quantities and then imported to meet demand," he said. The government allowed sugar export in a phased manner. At the time when the export request was made, the global market price was $750 per ton. When export was permitted, the industry agreed to set the ex-mill price at Rs140 per kg, up Rs2 from the prevailing rate. Rana Tanveer stressed that usually there was a difference of Rs8-10 per kg between ex-mill and retail prices. However, after export, the local price crashed to Rs119 per kg. During Ramazan, the minister recalled, sugar was being sold for Rs130 per kg and later the area under sugarcane cultivation increased with expected sugar production of 7 million metric tons. However, due to the impact of climate change, not just in Pakistan but globally, agricultural yields were affected. Despite an increase in the cultivated area, sugar production fell. "As soon as we learnt about the shortfall, the prime minister halted the remaining export and 40,000 tons were not exported," the minister said. He stated that this year, the country produced 6.3 million metric tons of sugar, which was sufficient to meet domestic needs. Farmers have received between Rs4,500 and Rs4,750 per ton for sugarcane. He blamed hoarders and dealers for price increase, adding that strict action was being taken against them. At present, sugar is being sold for Rs173 per kg. He also drew regional comparisons, saying sugar was priced at Rs150 per kg in India, Rs187 in Bangladesh, Rs173 in Afghanistan and Rs250 in Iran. The minister disclosed that Pakistan earned $450 million by exporting sugar at $500 per ton. "Had we exported at $750 per ton, we would have earned even more foreign exchange," he noted. Export permission was granted for 7.5 million tons, while imports were allowed up to 500,000 tons. "We are currently importing 300,000 tons and will not purchase more than that," he clarified. He assured the public that sugar stock was available in adequate quantity and there was no shortage. "Prices have been fixed, although slight variations may occur in some areas. A three-month agreement has been signed with mills, allowing a maximum increase of Rs2 per kg and setting the ex-mill price at Rs175 per kg. Fresh sugar production will soon reach the market, which will stabilise prices." Millers claim sugar sale at Rs165 Separately, the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) said that all mills were supplying sugar at Rs165 per kg and the country had ample stocks till mid-November. In a statement, a PSMA spokesman argued that the sugar supply chain had been affected due to divergent administrative measures taken by some government institutions, "which have somewhat been redressed and supply is continuing". Mills are only concerned with ex-mill prices, while the retail price is normally determined by market forces, which are now being controlled by the government. As per media reports, sugar is being sold for Rs200 per kg, but according to the industry information, the commodity is available in most markets at Rs173 to Rs175 per kg. The spokesperson clarified that sugar dealers were buying from mills at Rs165 per kg and instead of selling to domestic consumers, they were supplying to industrial and commercial consumers at higher profits.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Two snatch shopkeeper's wallet in broad daylight near police station
Bhopal: Two unidentified miscreants allegedly snatched the wallet of a shopkeeper from Vidisha in broad daylight near the Bada Bagh graveyard, close to Shahjahanabad police station, on Wednesday afternoon. Two unidentified youths walked up to him, threatened him and fled with his wallet. The victim had arrived in Bhopal for shopping when the incident took place near a stepwell (Bawdi) in an open field. According to Shahjahanabad police, the complainant, Bunty Ahirwar, 37, a resident of Vidisha, came to Bhopal to purchase goods. A shopkeeper informed him that his required items would be sourced from another location and asked him to return in an hour. In the meantime, Bunty went to the nearby field near Bada Bagh graveyard to wait. While he was seated, two unidentified youths approached, threatened him, and snatched his wallet. Bunty attempted to chase the accused, but they managed to escape. The stolen wallet contained Rs4,000 in cash and important documents. Bunty later reported the incident at Shahjahanabad police station, where a case on charges of snatching was registered against the unidentified accused. Police are reviewing CCTV footage to identify and trace the accused.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Science
- Express Tribune
100 air quality monitors to be installed
The Punjab government is set to install 100 air quality monitors across the province, significantly up from just three in previous years. Punjab Secretary for Environment Protection and Climate Change, Silwat Saeed, said during a media briefing that 60 air quality monitors have already been installed, and the remaining 40 will be in place by the end of the financial year. "Our total target is 100 monitors, and the cost this year is estimated between Rs3 to Rs4 billion," she said. She said, "Taking the number from 3 to 100 is a massive leap. This wouldn't have been possible without extensive groundwork and strong support from international partners." She announced that from next month, air quality data would be made accessible to the public via a live dashboard. "Our air quality monitors are linked with IQAir, so people can get real-time data online," she said. Highlighting technological upgrades, the secretary said the department has digitised industrial inspection systems using artificial intelligence. "Previously, inspectors had to physically visit industrial units. Now, with AI integration, we can detect emissions remotely and identify violations in real time." She said 15 fog cannons have been deployed in Lahore on a test basis.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Farmers get Rs 49,330-cr fertiliser subsidy till July 21
New Delhi: The Centre has provided fertilisers subsidy of Rs49,330 crore till July 21 of this fiscal to ensure farmers get key nutrients at a reasonable a written reply to Lok Sabha on Friday, Minister of State of Chemicals and FertilisersAnupriya Patel informed that the total fertilizer subsidy provided by the government stood at Rs49,329.88 crore till July 21 of 2025-26 fiscal. Out of this, Rs30,940.82 crore subsidy was towards domestic urea, while Rs4,006.70 crore for imported urea. In 2022-23, the Centre's fertiliser subsidy stood at Rs2,54,798.88 crore. The subsidy declined to Rs1,95,420.51 crore in 2023-24 and Rs1,77,129.50 crore in 2024-25. 'Under 'DBT in Fertilizers' system, 100 per cent subsidy on various fertilizer grades is released to the fertilizer companies, on actual sales to the beneficiaries based on Aadhar authentication through POS devices installed at each retail shop,' Patel said. All farmers (including small, medium and large farmers) are being supplied fertilisers at subsidized rates, she added.
India Today
6 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Friendship always first: PM resets India-Maldives ties with defence, trade push
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his two-day visit to the Maldives reaffirmed the historic and strategic depth of the bilateral relationship. 'The roots of our relations are older than history, and as deep as the ocean,' Modi said during his two-day visit to Modi held wide-ranging talks with Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu to strengthen cooperation in key sectors including trade, defence, and maritime security. 'For us, it is always friendship first,' the Prime Minister declared, calling India the 'most trusted' friend of the Indian Ocean meeting marked a turnaround in bilateral ties, which had witnessed tensions after Muizzu came to power in November 2023 following his 'India Out' campaign. Modi, however, asserted that the India-Maldives friendship will always 'remain bright and clear' regardless of circumstances. India on Friday announced a Rs4,850 crore (USD 565 million) line of credit to the Maldives. 'This amount will be used for projects related to the development of infrastructure in the Maldives, in accordance with the priorities of the people of the country', the PM Secretary Vikram Misri said the pact signed during the visit would reduce the Maldives' annual debt repayment to India by 40 per cent. While China's growing assertiveness was not directly mentioned, Misri said India continues to work with the Maldives on issues that may 'impinge not just our security but the common security of the region.'PM Modi confirmed that both sides will soon finalise a bilateral investment treaty and that negotiations for a free trade agreement have already the visit,PM Modi and Muizzu jointly inaugurated several India-backed projects, including a new defence ministry building in Male, roads and drainage systems in Addu city, and 3,300 housing units in Hulhumale. PM Modi also handed over 72 vehicles and equipment to the Maldives National Defence the new defence ministry complex as a 'concrete building of trust,' PM Modi said it stands as a symbol of the 'strong partnership' between the two nations. 'India will continue to support the Maldives in the development of its defence capabilities. Peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region is our common goal,' he the Maldives' role in India's strategic outreach, PM Modi said, 'The Maldives holds an important place in both India's Neighbourhood First policy and its MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision.'PM Modi also spotlighted India's swift and consistent support to the Maldives during times of crisis. 'India is also proud to be the most trusted friend of the Maldives. Be it a disaster or a pandemic, India has always stood by as a 'first responder',' he welcomed the progress made under the economic and maritime security vision unveiled during Muizzu's visit to New Delhi in October last year. 'Now it is becoming a reality. And as a result of that, our relations are touching new heights,' PM Prime Minister also noted the growing success of India's UPI (Unified Payments Interface) system in the Maldives. 'The speed with which UPI is being promoted in the Maldives will give a boost to both tourism and retail,' he Modi arrived in Male from London in the second and final leg of his two-nation tour. He received a warm welcome at Velena International Airport, with President Muizzu and top Maldivian ministers personally receiving him. Later, he was accorded a ceremonial welcome and a guard of honour at the Republic Square.- EndsMust Watch
