Ambala: Expressing apprehensions on behalf of sugarcane growers, the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Charuni) conducted a Kisan Panchayat today and issued a warning of initiating an agitation if the dues owed to sugarcane farmers were not settled, citing the attachment of properties of Naraingarh Sugar Mills Limited. The union has scheduled another panchayat for January 30, reported Tribune India.
By the union’s call, farmers congregated near the sugar mills to deliberate on the future course of action. Subsequently, the union submitted a memorandum to the SDM Naraingarh and the CEO of Sugar Mills, directed towards the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, Cane Commissioner, and Deputy Commissioner of Ambala. Gurnam Singh Charuni, the union leader, voiced the collective grievance, stating, “The mills owe about Rs 80 crore in the form of cane payment and crop loans taken in the name of farmers. We insist that the government should represent the farmers in the Supreme Court, taking responsibility for the payments, as the mills operate under government supervision.”
Charuni emphasized that the mills’ buyers must be informed in advance about the outstanding dues to farmers. The union resolved not to permit any entity or entity to take possession of the mills until farmers are assured that their payments will be prioritized. Additionally, the farmers demanded interest on delayed payments.
The union chief urged farmers to ensure a steady supply of sugarcane to the mills to avoid disruption in crushing, cautioning that any interruption would result in losses to the mills, further hampering payment clearance. The union has visibly displayed boards outside the sugar mills, warning against the transfer of possession until the outstanding dues are resolved.
Upon reaching the scene, Naraingarh SDM and Sugar Mills CEO C Jayasharadha engaged with the farmers, suggesting that discussions on the issue of interest in delayed payments could take place in a meeting scheduled for late February. She informed the farmers about a pending case related to interest in the High Court and assured them that the government and administration were actively addressing the ongoing issues. The SDM stated that the matter of property attachment was currently before the Supreme Court, with the next hearing scheduled for February 13, assuring farmers that all raised demands would be presented to higher authorities for discussion.
