U. P. SUGAR UNITS COMPLAIN OVER MPs’ BEHAVIOUR

Sugar is turning bitter for the Yogi Adityanath government after the sugar mill owners in Uttar Pradesh complained about the “unreasonable behaviour, unlawful demands and threats from elected representatives of the BJP”. According to sources, a letter has been sent to the chief minister by the UP Sugar Millers’ Association ( UPSMA) in this regard. The letter sent by the secretary of UPSMA says that the “offensive” behaviour of elected representatives has left factory staff and officers demoralised and insecure. “The factory workers are threatening to quit and falling sugar prices are adding to the financial stress on the viability of the industry,” the letter adds. Complaints in this regard have been coming from factories at Seohara ( Bijnore), Dhampur ( Bijnore), Bundki ( Bijnore), Nigohi ( Shahjahanpur) and Babhnan ( Gonda). The letter also points out that the behaviour of lawmakers, their unlawful demands and threats are damaging the reputation of Uttar Pradesh being an industry- friendly state. The UPSMA has further requested chief minister Yogi Adityanath to take necessary steps to rein in anti- social elements who are threatening sugar units. A senior official in the cane department, meanwhile, admitted that some incidents have already been brought to the government’s notice.

Female Haj assistants would be deployed to help Indian women pilgrims

— Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Union minister