Govt to ensure ₹310 SAP, cane growers lift blockade

THE CAPT GOVT HAS AGREED TO PAY RS 25/ QUINTAL DIRECTLY TO CANE FARMERS. THE BALANCE AMOUNT WILL BE PAID TO THEM BY PRIVATE SUGAR MILLS

JALANDHAR/CHANDIGARH: Thousands of protesting sugarcane farmers lifted their blockade from the Jalandhar-Delhi national highway (NH-1) on Wednesday after the Punjab government agreed to ensure payment of the state advised price of Rs 310 per quintal to them for their produce.~

The stalemate between the farmers and owners of private sugar mills ended following the state government’s decision to pay Rs 25 per quintal directly to the sugarcane farmers. The balance, which comes to Rs 285 per quintal, will be paid to them by private sugar mills.

The government also directed the private sugar mills to immediately start the crushing operations. The farmers were protesting against the delay in the start of sugarcane crushing by private sugar mills that had refused to pay the state advised price, calling it financially unviable, said. The mills were only willing to pay the fair and remunerative price (FRP) fixed by the central government, telling the state government to pay the balance amount.

The deadlock over the SAP delayed sugarcane crushing that was to commence on November 15. Angry over the failure of the government to find a solution, farmers from nine associations led by Bharti Kisan Union (BKUDoaba) laid siege to the national highway in Phagwara at around 3 pm on Tuesday, disrupting vehicular movement.

The blockade was lifted at 7 pm on Wednesday only after the state government gave into their demands and reached an understanding with the mill owners.

BKU (Doaba) president Manjit Singh Rai the protest was called off as the state government assured to fulfil the demands. “If the government fails to fulfil its promises, we will hold an intensified agitation,” he warned. Baldev Singh Sirsa, president of Lok Bhalayi Insaaf Welfare Society, apologised to the common public for inconvenience. Cane growers have also been demanding clearance of their dues of around 400 crore withe private and cooperative sugar mills from last season.

The state government announced release of Rs 65 crore towards the interest on loans taken by them (mill owners) directly to the farmers.