Punjab vs Haryana: In sugarcane price war, Khattar govt has the last laugh

Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 9

In the ongoing sugarcane price war between Punjab and Haryana in the wake of farmers’ against three farm laws, the latter had the last laugh on Thursday with the BJP-JJP government announcing a price of Rs 362 per quintal, a marginal hike of Rs 2 over neighbouring Punjab.

In a clear case of one-upmanship against Punjab, Haryana announced a hike of 12 per quintal over its existing price of Rs 350 (for early variety) to make it Rs 362, highest in the country.

With an eye on next year’s assembly elections, the Capt Amarinder Singh Government recently announced a massive hike of Rs 50 per quintal taking state’s sugarcane price to Rs 360 per quintal.

In fact, Agriculture Minister JP Dalal tried to score some brownie points over its neighbouring state regarding sugarcane price. “The sugarcane price has been stable at Rs 310 per quintal in Punjab since last four years. It is only in the election year that the Congress Government has effected Rs 50-hike to woo the voters. But still Haryana is paying highest price in the country,” Dalal asserted.

Sources said in the wake of the farmers’ agitation against three farm laws, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar wanted to retain Haryana’s No 1 position in sugarcane price in the country. “The announcement of Rs 362 per quintal as sugarcane price has been made on the directions of the chief minister, after approval from Sugarcane Control Board,” Cooperation Minister Banwari Lal said.

Khattar had gone public with his displeasure over Punjab farmers’ leaders, who were spearheading farm stir at Singhu and Tikri borders, offering “ladoos” to Capt Amarinder Singh after announcement of Rs 360 as sugarcane prices by the Punjab Government recently.

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