Not paid dues, cane farmers threaten stir

Ambala, February 11

Continuous delay in the payment of sugarcane has again irked Naraingarh farmers. The farmer leaders have decided to give the call for a massive agitation in Naraingarh.

Rajiv Sharma, spokesman, Bhartiya Kisan Union (Charuni), claimed, “The crushing season of Naraingarh sugar mill started in November last year. The mill has crushed sugarcane worth around Rs 105 crore in this season, but the payment of only Rs 9.45 crore has been cleared so far. As per the norms, the payment has to be cleared within 14 days of the purchase of sugarcane. Due to the ongoing farmers’ agitation, we haven’t been able to hold meetings and protests in Naraingarh which resulted in further delay in the payment.”

Ganna Kisan Sangharsh Samiti president Vinod Rana, said, “The farmers are going through a tough phase.”

On the other hand, Chief Executive Officer, Naraingarh sugar mill, Narender Malik, said, “Efforts are being made to clear the payments of sugarcane farmers with available resources.” — TNS