Sugarcane Growers Protest Non-Payment of Rs 41 cr in Punjab's Phagwara

Farmers staged a protest in Punjab's Phagwara to press for the payment of Rs 41 crore in sugarcane dues pending from a local sugar mill. The protest was led by Bharti Kisan Union (Doaba) general secretary Satnam Singh Sahni, who alleged that besides arrears of Rs 27 crore for the 2022-23 cane crushing season, Rs 14 crore and its interest were due for the 2023-34 season.

Sub-divisional magistrate Jashanjit Singh said the management had given a written assurance that it would clear this season's dues by August 31.

He told the agitating farmers that 14 properties worth Rs 33 crore of the mill had been attached and these would go under the hammer on September 12, if the Punjab and Haryana High Court allowed it. However, the mill management has moved the high court against the attachment.

How Do Sugarcane Prices Get Determined?

Fair and Remunerative Prices are announced by the Central Government and are based on the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs' (CCEA) proposal to the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).