Shamli, Uttar Pradesh: After a week of extended meetings and a review process, the Sugarcane Commissioner’s office in Lucknow has finalized the allocation of sugarcane purchase centers to the three sugar mills in the district. In a move, the Unn and Thanabhavan sugar mills, which had delayed cane payments to farmers, have faced a reduction in their allocated centers. Conversely, the Shamli sugar mill, known for its timely payments, has been rewarded with five additional purchase centers, reports Amar Ujala.
For the new crushing season, the Shamli mill has been allocated 29 centers, the Thanabhavan mill 75, and the Un mill 89 centers. The Thanabhavan mill has seen the most significant cut. For context, in the previous season, the Shamli mill had 23 centers and one mill-gate center, the Un mill had 91, and the Thanabhavan mill had 79. The Commissioner’s office reduced the number of centers for Un and Thanabhavan specifically due to their history of delayed payments.
The final list was issued after the Lucknow Sugarcane Commissioner received reports from all Deputy Cane Officers and District Cane Officers between October 12 and 20. In total, 193 purchase centers have been allocated across the three mills.
DCO Ranjeet Singh Kushwaha confirmed that the allocation list from the Sugarcane Commissioner has been received. He stated that the Un and Thanabhavan mills did not receive any new centers because their cane payments were delayed. Meanwhile, the Shamli mill was granted five new centers as a reward for completing its cane payments within 14 days in the previous season.
Of the five new centers given to the Shamli mill, one has been transferred from the Bhaisana area, two from the Un area, and two from the Thanabhavan area. This will expand the cane supply area for the Shamli mill.
Farmers have welcomed this decision, stating that the government should take strict action against mills that delay payments. They believe this will not only encourage prompt-paying mills but also enforce discipline among all others.
