Shamli, Uttar Pradesh: The sugarcane crushing season in the district has completed 78 days, but farmers are yet to receive their total amount against the cane sent to the mills. Three sugar mills in the district have so far purchased cane worth ₹441.12 crore but have made payments amounting to only ₹218.63 crore, reports Amar Ujala.
Data from the sugarcane department show that during the current season, the Shamli sugar mill has crushed 41.16 lakh quintals of cane, the Thana Bhawan mill 47.23 lakh quintals, and the Unn mill 39.13 lakh quintals.
According to official records, the Shamli mill has paid ₹111.32 crore against total dues of ₹140.77 crore. The Thana Bhawan mill has released just ₹14.90 crore out of ₹169.97 crore payable to farmers, while the Unn mill has paid ₹92.41 crore against dues of ₹130.58 crore.
The highest outstanding amount is with the Thana Bhawan mill at ₹155.07 crore. The Unn mill has pending payments of ₹38.17 crore, and the Shamli mill owes ₹30.45 crore to farmers.
A farmer from Manti Hasanpur, said mills often fail to make timely payments, which has led farmers in the area to reduce sugarcane sowing. Another farmer from Nojal village said payments are required within 14 days under the rules, but the Bajaj Group’s mill has failed to clear dues even after a prolonged period.
District Cane Officer Ranjeet Singh Kushwaha said pressure is being continuously applied on the sugar mills and assured that farmers’ payments would be cleared soon.
