No shortage of sugar in the country; Gilani 

      
ISLAMABAD, Nov 11 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said there was no shortage of sugar in the country as one-month surplus stocks were available.Talking to reporters after a function to hand over plots to widows of CDA employees, the Prime Minister said the total requirements of the country were 300,000 metric tonnes and it has the stocks of all the sugar that has been imported.He said in the meeting of the Central Executive Committee he had asked the Chief Ministers to devise a mechanism for distribution of sugar. He said they have also been asked to fix the price and control hoarding so that the people get due relief.
The Prime Minister said hoarding was not a federal subject and the provincial governments have been given a chance to control it, else the federal government would interfere if the situation cannot be managed.
He said the Interior Minister Rehman Malik has been asked to wait and let the provinces manage the issue.
Gilani said the federal government has directed the provinces to start the crushing season and asked the Trading Corporation of Pakistan to bring its stocks into the market and hoped it would lower the price in open market. He said the delayed start of the crushing season caused the shortage of sugar in the country.
Prime Minister Gilani said his government would reduce the size of the Federal Cabinet to cut costs. He said ten ministries would be devolved within the next two months in accordance with the 18th amendment’s defined concurrent list.
To a question about the letter written by PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister said it has been addressed to the President and he would find out the details when he returns home after his visit to China.
Gilani said the government would take into confidence the provincial governments and all political parties over the GST Reforms Bill.
He rejected the impression that the tax would impart a new burden on common man, adding it was not a new tax as the Cabinet had given its approval long time back.
Gilani said he and the President would discuss the issue after his return from China.