Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh has set a new record by paying cane dues of Rs 29,000 crore as against a target of Rs 35,000 crore in the 2021-22 crushing season, the highest rate of cane price payment made in at least the past two decades, reports The Times of India.
As per the data released by the sugar cane development department, around 75 sugar mills (60% of total 120 operating mills) have made 100% payments to the cane farmers against the crop procured for this season. The remaining mills have cleared cane dues from 40% to 60% of the total dues.
The state government has ensured that sugar mills clear maximum cane payment.
As per The Times of India report, Sanjay Bhoosreddy, additional chief secretary (cane development) said that the opening of an escrow account and the diversion of cane for ethanol production have helped in achieving this.
Sugar mills were asked to set up an escrow account after BJP came to power and these accounts were operated by both the sugar mills as well as the cane department that helped to put a check on the diversion of funds for purposes other than the payment of cane dues to the farmers.
