Industries Minister Tofail Ahmed has asked for implementing the recommendations of the Task Force on Sugar Industry that will reduce manpower In the mills to make them economically viable, reports UNB.

He gave the directive yesterday at a review meeting on production and overall condition of the 15 sugar mills run by Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation (BSFIC).

'There is no reason to continue the operations of those mills which have incurred huge losses and the growers of mill-farms did not give their cane to the mills as per conditions." the minister said.

He reminded that the government is providing huge subsidy to (he mills with a view to supporting the farmers for their livelihood.

But. the minister noted.

people can get sugar at much lower prices If the government opens sugar Imports.

He said In the era of free-market economy, the government was not yet yielding to "outside pressures for withdrawing restrictions on the import of sugar.

"But lithe cane growers, employees and management o. the mills do not show their sincerity to make the mills economically viable," he cauUoned. "the government will have no other option but to withdraw the support from the Industry."

Taking stock of the problem-ridden Industry, the Industries Minister observed despite higher recovery rate this year, most of mills could not achieve the production targets due to shortage of sugarcane.

"Farmers prefer to produce molasses by power crushers which is banned." he said, adding that law-enforcing

agencies do not ekercise their authority for the sake of serious inconveniences of the fanners.

The present government is providing all sonfc of facilities to the farmers, irfcluding agricultural credits, Exemption of interest on outstanding loan, supply of fertiliser at subsidised prices, cash purchase of cane rights at the moment that r ich mill gates and other incentives to the employees and farmers, he told the meeting.

He urged the employees and officials to work with a missionary zeal so fanners are motivated to uphold their commitments to the authority.

The Industries Minister advised the chairman, directors and other high officials of BSFIC to monitor closely day-to-day activities of all sections of. the mills.

The high officials of the BSFIC also attended the meeting'