Jalandhar: Farmers to gherao houses of ministers, MLAs if sugarcane dues not cleared soon

Jalandhar, February 4

Farmers of the Doaba Kisan Committee today said if the Punjab Government does not deposit sugarcane subsidy dues in their accounts, they would gherao houses of ministers and MLAs.

“The state government has remained silent on the pending sugarcane dues for the ongoing season for more than two months since sugar mills started functioning,” said Jangveer Singh Chauhan, national president, Doaba Kisan Committee, Punjab, and a member of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM). He said the Punjab Government had decided to deposit Rs 55.50 in farmers’ accounts as per letter No. 16842, dated December 1, 2023. However, not a single penny had been deposited in farmers’ account, he said.

Chauhan said farmers had to resort to protest to get requisite sugarcane rates when the crushing seaon started in Punjab. He said last year, the state government had started paying subsidy money as soon as sugar mills started functioning, but this year, it sits with ears and eyes closed.

Chauhan said despite being part of the AAP government in Punjab, its MLAs and ministers from the sugarcane belt were not paying attention to problems faced by farmers. He further said the government, which failed to keep election manifesto promises, must be face protests.