Farmers Movement Archive

Cane farmers threaten to stop mill ops

Ambala, February 26Sugarcane farmers have decided that it would stop delivering their produce to Naraingarh Sugarmills Limited from March 8 and force its management to stop operations on March 10 if the dues up to February were not cleared by then.These decisions were taken at a panchayat held in Naraingarh today.Farmers under the banner of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) gathered outside the sugarmill and raised slogans in support of their demands. They also decided to hold a mahapanchayat on March 10.Forced to protestThe crushing season started in November last year. As per norms, the payment has to be cleared within 14 days of the purchase of sugarcane. But so far, the payment up to December 16 has been cleared. We are left with no option, but to protest. —Malkit Singh, BKU (charuni) leaderMore than 5,000 farmers, who deliver sugarcane to the mill, await dues.Rajiv Sharma, a spokesman for the BKU (Charuni), said: “Sugarcane worth around Rs 124 crore has been delivered to the mill for crushing this season so far. The dues of around Rs 101 crore are pending. Not only this. Post-dated cheques of around Rs 9 crore of the last season are also pending.”District BKU (Charuni) chief Malkit Singh said, “The crushing season started in November last year. As per norms, the payment has to be cleared within 14 days of the purchase of sugarcane. But so far, the payment up to December 16 has been cleared. We are left with no option, but to protest.”When contacted, Naraingarh SDM Vaishali Sharma said, “The district administration has cleared Rs 24 crore dues till December 16. The mill has a stock worth Rs 39 crore, but market conditions are unfavourable for the sale of sugar. This is why it is taking time to clear the stock. The mill has written to the Shahabad sugarmill MD to buy the stock. A positive response is awaited. The mill has also applied for a loan of Rs 25 crore to clear the dues. Stopping the mill operations is no solution.”

The Tribune

2021-02-27