Shamli, Uttar Pradesh: Farmers have been protesting for the last few days in Shamli over the pending cane dues worth Rs 188 crore by the sugar mill. The mill has not cleared the dues despite repeated reminders and agitations launched by farmers, reported the Times of India.
The protest has led to a halt in repair work at the mill, which could delay the upcoming sugarcane crushing season. In their frustration, the farmers directed criticism at Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader Jayant Chaudhary, calling on him to “step out of his political office and address their concerns directly.”
Baba Shyam Singh, a representative of the Gathwala Khap in Shamli, expressed disappointment after an RLD MLA and officials visited the protest site few days ago. “Instead of offering a solution, they made politically charged statements,” Singh said. He emphasized that this is not the time for politics. “If the RLD truly supports farmers, its president should leave behind political comforts and sit with us, so we no longer have to suffer.”
The farmers have been waiting for their sugarcane payments for almost a year, with the mill only releasing small instalments, often delayed by nearly 12 months. Despite several discussions between farmers and officials, the full payment remains pending, further increasing tensions as the new sugarcane season approaches.
In response, Shamli’s Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Santosh Kumar stated that discussions with mill officials are ongoing to ensure that farmers receive the full payment they are owed.
