Islamabad: Senator Aon Abbas Chaired the Senate Standing Committee on Industries and Production today at Parliament House.The Committee reviewed the composition of Sugar Advisory Board and its role in defining the sugar price across the country.
The officials apprised that Sugar Advisory Board has a status of recommendatory body and it review National Sugar Policy, sugar production and its export and imports. Senator Aon Abbas questioned as to whether the government cater the sugar demand of the country while allowing export of 7 lac tons. He further stated that Sugar Mills escalated the price of sugar cane by citing the reason of increased input cost and also inquired the role of Sugar Advisory Board in determining the price.
Officials stated that the Sugar Advisory Board ensure the reservation of strategic stock as per Federal mandate and has no role in fixing the sugar Board. Senator Aon Abbas also highlighted that 44 pc of sugar mills across the country are owned by Political families as per data provided by the ministry. The Committee decided to call upon the Competitive Commission of Pakistan and PSMA representatives to determine the factors involve in fixing the sugar price.
The Committee was also briefed on the updated status of the Utility Stores Corporation. Officials informed that USC has been put on Privatization list and right sizing has been started, however, there has been delay due to pending audit of last two years which will be completed by August of this year. Senator Aon Abbas inquired about the financial status and fate of USC employees. MD Utility Stores Corporation told that estimated value of immovable assets of USC is around 8.3 Billion Rupees as per 2020 and 2021 estimates.
However, USC has a liabilities of around 14 Billion Rupees. As far as the USC employees are concerned, USC has total of 11,614 employees, of which, 5,000
are regular employees and 5,900 fall
under the contract and daily wages category. However, regular employees has been placed on Surplus pool and no decision has been taken regarding the contract and daily wages employees. The Committee directed the ministry to keep the committee in loop while taking decision for contractual and daily wages employees.
Moreover, Senator Aon Abbas expressed serious concerns on the absence of Secretary for Industries and Production for the third consecutive time. He directed the Secretary to ensure his presence in the next meeting.
In attendance Senators Syed Masroor Ahsan,Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee,Husna Bano,Danesh Kumar,Additional Secretary for Industries and Production Asif Saeed khan,MD Utility Stores Corporation Faisal Nisar Chaudhry along with other senior officials of relevant Departments.
