Cane growers protest at DC’s office for dues

Tribune News Service
Sangrur, April 18

Cane growers protested inside and outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office for six hours for the release of their Rs 72-crore dues. Finally, they relented till Tuesday for the release of the dues.

The DC in late evening wrote to the SSP for adequate security arrangements in his office and legal action against the owners of Dhuri Sugar Mill for not releasing the dues.

“Hundreds of cane growers have been waiting for the release of their Rs 72 crore for the last more than one year. Earlier last month, we had ended our all three indefinite protests after the administration and mill owner assured of releasing our payments. But we are yet to receive our payments. Today we have lifted our protest till Tuesday, but if we do not get our money, we will restart the protest,” said Harjeet Singh Bugra, member of the Cane Growers Committee.

Members of committee today reached the DC’s office for a meeting, but during the meeting they demanded immediate release of their payment. Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori tried to tell them that the mill owner had applied for a loan of Rs 50 crore. But without hearing the DC, committee members sat on a dharna inside the DC’s room and started raising slogans, Meanwhile, more farmers sat on a dharna outside the DC’s room.

In late evening, committee members after a meeting with the DC agreed to lift their protest till Tuesday.

“The mill owner will release Rs 15 crore on Tuesday and another Rs 15 crore after 15 days. The remaining amount will also be released after the gap of 15 days. The mill owner has applied for a loan of Rs 50 crore and he will start getting loan in instalments from Tuesday,” said DC Thori.