Country’s progress directly related to financial growth of farmers: Minister

Dr Arvind Sharma, Cabinet Minister for Co-operation, Jail, Elections, Heritage and Tourism, said that there are clear directions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini that farmers should not face any problems. “Officials and employees have to understand that the progress of the country and the state is directly linked with the financial progress of the farmers,” he said.

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Minister Dr Sharma as a chief guest, along with MLAs Nikhil Madaan, Pawan Kharkhoda, Devender Kadyan, BJP district president Jasbeer Dodwa, zila Parishad chairperson Monika Dahiya, inaugurated the crushing season 2024-25 of the Sonepat Co-operative Sugar Mill on Monday by offering oblations into fire and pouring sugarcane on the crushing mill.

While addressing the farmers during the inaugural session, the minister said there was an intimate relationship between the cooperative sugar mill and the farmers.

He directed the mill management to solve the problems of the farmers on priority, adding that concerted efforts were needed to enhance the glory of the sugar mill.

The minister directed Managing Director Abhay Singh to prepare a proposal regarding upgrading the sugar mill, adding that he talked to the Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini about its up-gradation. He also directed the management to ensure timely disbursement of payments to the farmers.

The minister also honoured farmers — Somveer of Kurar, Surender of Badoli and Subhash.

Besides, the minister honoured farmer Mahender Singh for bringing maximum sugarcane (26,187 quintal) in the last crushing season and Younus Ali for bringing maximum sugarcane (10,383) quintal at a centre. Lab Chemist Rajiv Tomar was also awarded.

The Managing Director said the mill was started in 1876-77 and it has a capacity of crushing 22,000 quintal sugarcane per day. The target for crushing 32 lakh quintal of sugarcane has been set for 2024-25.

The sugar mill has crushed a total 28.3 lakh quintal sugarcane and with the rate of 10.38 per cent sugar recovery, 2,87,852 quintal sugar has been prepared in 2023-24 and it stood first in the state for sugar recovery, the MD asserted. The government has fixed Rs 400 per quintal rate of sugarcane this year, he said.