Karnal, Haryana: Amid protests by sugarcane farmers, the Haryana government has decided to retain the last year’s SAP for the current crushing season.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 14 of the Punjab Sugarcane (regulation of purchase and supply) Act, 1953, the governor of Haryana hereby regulates the price of sugarcane supplied/to the sugar mills in Haryana during the crushing season 2022-23 at the rate of Rs 362 and Rs 355 per quintal for early and other varieties of sugarcane, respectively,” according to the notification.
Farmers are not happy over the announcement as they were agitating for a hike in SAP to Rs 450 per quintal due to an increase in input costs and damage of crops because of severe pest attacks.
Farmers’ leaders have alleged that the sugar mills are earning huge profit as the government has lowered the GST from 18% to 5% on the ethanol supplied to refineries and also allowed sugar exports.
“Mills are producing ethanol and they are earning profit from selling it and we are facing losses by growing cane due to increase in input costs,” said farmers.
Bhartiya Kisan Union (Charuni) has decided to protest outside the residence of all ministers and MLAs demanding a hike in SAP on December 29.
