The sugar units in Punjab have started crushing, according to Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) Punjab Tuesday. Chairman Punjab, Javed Kayani said although the sugarcane crop was still not mature enough to derive the desired level of sucrose contents yet the industry has taken a timely decision to facilitate the growers to harvest sugarcane for cultivation of other winter crops. He was of the view that there was a shortage of sugarcane in various belts of Punjab ranging between 20 to 30 percent compared to last year crop due to lack of water. He urged the provincial government to take administrative measures to curb the menace of middlemen once for all. He said the industry was facing the higher inputs costs and the minimum support price of sugarcane has been increased from Rs 60 to Rs 80 per 40/kg on the basis of which the cost of sugar comes out to be around 38.5 per/kg ex-mill including 16 percent sales tax and 1 percent excise duty. He demanded that the government should levy import duty on refined white sugar commensurate with the domestic cost of production. staff report