BIJNOR: The cane crushing season has ended but still 119 sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh owe more than Rs 7,000 crore to 45 lakh farmers, who now facing resource crunch to take care of the other crops they have sown after the cane harvest. Increasing prices of diesel is also a big concern for cane farmers as they use generators to irrigate their land and tractors for tilling and transporting their produce.
According to data available with the cane department, sugar mills in the state have crushed around 10,148 lakh quintal sugarcane this year, and mills have paid 80% of the total dues to farmers. An official, on the condition of anonymity, told TOI that 20% of the dues are still pending, which amounts to over Rs 7,000 crore, leaving the farmers in the lurch.
Nemi Sharan, a sugarcane grower said, "We are associated with the Bilai sugar mill. This unit has paid only 30% of the total dues as of now. This is the time when we need to spend more on the new crops. The government should tighten the noose on mill owners and get the dues cleared."
Echoing similar sentiments, Rajendra Singh, senior BKU leader, said, "The government has failed to get sugarcane dues paid in time. Farmers don't have money to look after cane crop for the next crushing season. Prices of diesel and fertilizers have made it more difficult. Farmers are reeling under debt. We have already given an ultimatum to officials on Saturday. If dues are not cleared, we will begin a massive agitation."
Singh added that mills have made profit by selling molasses as well. "Many units are producing ethanol directly from cane juice. That is why mills should pay heed to the grievances of peasants." Molasses is used in making ethanol and alcohol which is being used as sanitiser.
Meanwhile, in Bijnor, sugar mills owe over Rs 500 crore to farmers. Bijnor cane officer Yashpal Singh claimed that most of the cane dues have been cleared and the rest will be paid soon to the farmers.
