Chandigarh: Former Haryana Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda has criticized the state government for what he described as an inadequate increase in sugarcane prices, calling it a “cruel joke” on farmers, reported Times of India.
Speaking on Saturday, Hooda expressed disappointment over the government’s decision to raise sugarcane rates by only ₹14 per quintal. “This is like rubbing salt on the wounds of farmers,” he said.
Hooda argued that the current ₹386 per quintal rate falls far short of what is needed to support farmers, given the rising costs of agriculture. “The rate should be over ₹450 per quintal to match the increasing expenses on fertilisers, seeds, medicines, tractor parts, equipment, diesel, and labour,” he stated.
The Congress leader also compared the BJP’s tenure unfavourably with his own government’s record. He recalled that when the Congress came to power in 2005, sugarcane prices stood at ₹117 per quintal, which his government nearly tripled to ₹310 in nine and a half years. In contrast, he noted, the BJP has only raised the rate by 24% during its decade-long rule.
Hooda further criticized the delays in payments to farmers, saying, “Farmers are forced to protest every time just to get paid for their produce.” He called on the government to not only increase sugarcane rates significantly but also ensure timely payments.
The Congress leader reiterated his party’s demand for a fair rate and better policies to address the challenges faced by the farming community.
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