Ambala: A group of sugarcane farmers, representing the Ganna Kisan Sangharsh Samiti Haryana, met with senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, raising concerns over unpaid dues from Naraingarh Sugar Mills.
The meeting occurred during Gandhi’s visit to Ambala as part of his “Haryana Vijay Sankalp Yatra.”
Vinod Rana, the president of the farmer’s committee, led the group and submitted a memorandum to Gandhi, urging him to take up the matter with the Union Government. According to Rana, the sugar mill still owes farmers Rs 22.7 crore for the 2023-24 season, which ended in March. “Every year, we face the same issue,” Rana said. “Farmers are made to wait for their payments, even though the rules say dues should be cleared within 14 days of the purchase. We’ve had to protest to get what’s rightfully ours.”
The farmers expressed their frustration with the mill and the government’s handling of the situation, explaining that they had even approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court to recover their payments. Rana further emphasized the need for a long-term solution. “We’ve asked Rahul Gandhi to help us get these dues cleared quickly, but we also need a permanent fix to this recurring problem,” he added.
Following the meeting, Rana expressed gratitude to Gandhi for his willingness to listen to their grievances. “Rahul Gandhi assured us that the issue of the Naraingarh sugar mill payments would be resolved if the Congress comes to power in Haryana. He also promised to take up our other concerns with the central government,” he said.
