Chandigarh: Congress leader and LoP Partap Singh Bajwa has called for a minimum increase of ₹20 per quintal in the State Advised Price (SAP) of sugarcane in Punjab for the upcoming 2023-24 season, urging a total to Rs 400 per quintal, reported Hindustan Times.
Bajwa conveyed this demand to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in a letter, where he also implored the state government to take proactive measures for the early procurement of sugar crops from cane growers in Punjab. This, he argued, would provide essential relief to farmers facing ongoing challenges.
In the comprehensive letter, the Congress leader addressed concerns regarding outstanding payments from the previous year and the delayed commencement of sugar mill operations.
Bajwa further pointed out that, despite the Punjab government’s directive on November 8, 2023, instructing sugar mills to commence operations from November 21, no mill had initiated the crushing season. He attributed the delayed start to the ambiguous phrasing of the notification, using “from 21.11.2023” instead of “by 21.11.2023.” This, according to Bajwa, left the crop matured in its natural course, causing predicaments for farmers as sugarcane procurement had not commenced.
Drawing attention to the challenges faced by farmers, Bajwa highlighted the impact of floods and the “Red Rot” disease on the CO238 variety, resulting in a loss in crop yield.
