Pending dues: Cane farmers to block Jalandharpathankot highway on Nov 17

JALANDHAR : Sugarcane growers from several associations on Friday threatened to block the Jalandhar-pathankot national highway in Dasuya on November 17 for an indefinite period if the sugar mill authorities fail to clear their dues. Doaba Bharti Kisan Union president Manjit Singh Rai along with representatives of Ganna Sangharsh Committee, Majha Sangharsh Committee and Lok Bhalai Insaaf Welfare Committee was addressing a press conference here.

The cane growers claimed that the private and cooperate mills have to pay ₹450 crore outstanding to farmers. Rai said, “As per the Sugar Factories Control Act, the mills are supposed to pay the dues to the cane farmers within 14 days after the procurement.”

Growers have demanded a hike of ₹40 per quintal sugarcane and asked the state to issue a notification to start the sugar mills. “Government should announce a hike in sugarcane prices to ₹350 per quintal and issue a notification to start the mills,” Rai said, adding that if the government fails to meet their demands, they besides blocking the NH, will also block the railways.