Union threatens to intensify stir if cane growers’ arrears not paid

Farmers, led by Bhartiya Kisan Union (Doaba) president Manjit Singh Rai, have warned the government of intensifying their stir if the arrears of sugarcane growers are not given by October 15.

BKU general secretary Satnam Singh Sahni, while talking to newsmen here today, said the ultimatum was given in a meeting of leaders/activists of BKU (Doaba) which was held at Sukhchaina Sahib Gurudwara, Phagwara, on Sunday.

Kirpal Singh Mussapur, vice-president of the union said the meeting was held to discuss the matter of pending arrears of sugarcane farmers by Golden Sandhar Sugar Mill, Phagwara, and non-lifting of paddy from the shellers by the government.

The leaders discussed that in the meeting held with Chief Secretary VK Singh they were assured steps would be taken towards the pending arrears of sugarcane farmers by Phagwara sugar mill. They said 3.54 crore was pending towards the Punjab Government for payment of the subsidy of Rs 55 per tonne to the farmers out of which 3.45 crore had been paid by the government to the farmers, while the remaining 9 lakh would also be paid by the in the coming days.

The leaders further discussed that the Phagwara Administration had put up an auction of land of mill owners on October 14, it was hopeful that through the auction the pending arrears of sugarcane farmers could be paid. Thus it was decided in the meeting to wait till October 15 to see what actions are taken. The leaders decided that in case of failure of the administration to take any positive step towards the payment of the arrears of the sugarcane farmers a meeting of leaders/activists of BKU (Doaba) would be organised and strict protest would be proposed by the union against the sugar mill in Phagwara.