Dues pending, farmers threaten to oppose BJP poll nominees

Nitish Sharma

Tribune News Service

Ambala, April 21

Naraingarh farmers have threatened to open front against BJP candidates in protest against their unending wait for their payments. On their target are Ambala candidate Ratan Lal Kataria and Kurukshetra nominee Nayab Singh Saini, who represents Naraingarh in the Assembly.

More than Rs130 crore is pending for this season, claims Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) spokesman Rajiv Sharma.

Sugar mill officials have set a deadline of May 15 to clear the dues, but farmers are not enthused. They say mill officials have repeatedly backtracked from their promise. They threaten to oppose the BJP candidates if the payments are not cleared.

Even earlier, the farmers had to hold several mahapanchayats to get their payment. This season has been no different. In January, the farmers had locked the sugar mill in protest. They did so again in March.

Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) spokesman Rajiv Sharma said, “The mill is all set to end its crushing season, but hundreds of farmers have not received their payment. Those who have received the money are not happy either as cheques given to them bear the dates of December 2019 and January 2020. We need the money now, and not later.”

“BJP leaders were insensitive towards the demand of sugarcane farmers during protests in Naraingarh. So, we have decided to teach them a lesson in the Lok Sabha elections. We will oppose BJP candidates during their visits to villages,” added the BKU (Charuni) leader, who awaits a payment of Rs6 lakh from the mill.

Dhanraj Singh, a sugarcane farmer, said: “I have received a cheque for Rs1.77 lakh bearing a date of December 18, 2019. I had no other option, but to accept the cheque.”

Advocate Dharmvir Dhindsa, the counsel for sugarcane farmers who had filed a case against the mill in the High Court last year, said: “The mill has again failed to clear the dues on time. Soon, another case will be filed.”

Mill official Thakur Jaipal Singh said, “The farmers are being given cheques, but they are not being forced for anything. They can get their payments cleared by returning the cheques whenever they want. The exact pending amount will be ascertained only after the crushing season ends.”

Congress spokesman SS Nara said: “If voted to power, the Congress will ensure timely payment to sugarcane farmers as was the case during the party’s regime in the past.”