Ambala: Sugarcane farmers have given a ten-day ultimatum to the Naraingarh sugar mill to clear their cane dues else they would launch agitation against the mill.
The farmers had organised a mahapanchayat outside the gate of the sugar mill on Tuesday and held the mill officials captive for several hours.
The farmers under the banner of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Charuni) and Ganna Sangharsh Samiti have called the next mahapanchayat on March 22.
According to Tribuneindia.com, Rajiv Sharma, spokesman of BKU (Churani) said, “The mill owes arrears od Rs 102 crore for the ongoing season and around Rs 6 crore in the form of post-dated cheques of the previous season are pending. The mill authorities are assuring of clearing dues but not taking action in this direction.”
Gurnam Singh Charuni, BKU (Charuni) chief said, “The authorities agreed to clear dues by March 20. If the payments are not cleared, we will hold the next mahapanchayat on March 22 and may give a call to not allow the sugarmill to function and also block the road. The next strategy will be chalked out during the mahapanchayat.”
Narendra Malik, Chief Executive Officer, Naraingarh Sugar mills said, “We are trying to get funds by pledging sugar stocks and will clear the cane dues of the farmers. The farmers that have sent their cane up to January 20 will be cleared by March 20.”
