Ambala: Sugarcane farmers in the region have decided not to send their cane to the Naraingarh Sugar mills Limited from March 8 and stop the operations if the mill fails to clear their dues.
The farmers under the banner of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) took the decision held at a Panchayat in Naraingarh on Friday.
The farmers had gathered outside the sugar mill and raised slogans demanding the clearing of their pending cane dues. They have also decided to organise a mahapanchayat on March 10.
Rajiv Sharma, spokesman for the BKU (Churani) said, “We have sent the sugarcane worth Rs 124 crore to the sugar mill for crushing and the mill owes the dues worth Rs 101 crore.”
Malkit Singh, district BKU (Churani) chief said, “As per the rules the mill should clear the cane bills to the farmers within 14 days of the cane purchase. But the mill has so far cleared dues till December 16.”
According to Tribuneindia.com, Vaishali Sharma, Naraingarh SDM said, “Till December 16, the district administration has cleared dues worth Rs 24 crore. The mill has sugar stock worth Rs 39 crore but is unable to clear the stock due to unfavourable market conditions. The mill has urged the Shahabad sugar mill to purchase the stock and awaiting a positive reply. The mill has applied for a loan of Rs 25 crore to clear the remaining dues and stopping the operations at mill is not a solution.”
