Yamunanagar: Saraswati Sugar Mills in Yamunanagar has brought a smile to the faces of local sugarcane farmers by commencing its crushing operations for the 2023-24 season earlier this season, reported The Times of India.
The inaugural ceremony was led by the sugar mill’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), SK Sachdeva.
Yamunanagar’s sugar mill has gained a reputation for its efficient operations and timely payments to farmers, with no outstanding dues to its credit. Despite this, farmers in the region have expressed their displeasure over the stagnant sugarcane prices. They are advocating for an increase in the sugarcane rate to Rs 450 per quintal.
Subhash Gujjar, the District President of Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) (Tikait) in Yamunanagar, expressed his gratitude to the mill administration for initiating early crushing operations. He highlighted that this decision would allow farmers to sow wheat and has been received positively by the farming community, who have already begun transporting their sugarcane to the mill.
Subhash pointed out that the Haryana government’s failure to announce the State Advised Price (SAP) for sugarcane has left farmers dissatisfied, reiterating their demand for Rs 450 per quintal.
Farm leader Harpal Sudhal welcomed the early commencement of the sugar mill’s operations, believing it would undoubtedly benefit the farming community. He extended his appreciation to the sugar mill’s management but expressed disappointment in the government’s lack of action regarding the sugarcane price announcement.
COO SK Sachdeva shared insights into the momentous decision, stating that it marked the first time in approximately 28 years, since 1995, that the mill had initiated operations on October 31. In the previous season, operations began on November 8.
