Azamgarh: Sugarcane farmers facing difficulties at the Sathiaon sugar mill have begun supplying their crop to a sugar mill in the neighbouring Ambedkar Nagar district. Farmers said the move was forced by ongoing problems at the mill, including deductions and delays, reports Live Hindustan.
According to farmers, coded deductions are being made on the token slips issued by the Sathiaon mill. They also claimed the mill is closely watching farmers from areas such as Atraulia, Ahraula and Maharajganj. The problems, farmers said, started soon after the crushing season began.
Farmers bringing sugarcane to the mill alleged they are made to stay for two to three nights inside the mill premises before their crop is accepted. They also complained of mistreatment by mill staff. Farmers usually finish supplying their ratoon sugarcane by December so that wheat can be sown in the same fields. However, delays in lifting sugarcane meant fields were not cleared on time, and nearly 10% of farmers were unable to sow wheat in their ratoon fields.
Due to issues related to token slips, supply arrangements and delayed payments, farmers said they were compelled to send their sugarcane to another district. Areas such as Pawai, Ahraula, Atraulia and Maharajganj are close to the Ambedkar Nagar border, making it easier for farmers to transport their crop there. Farmers said they have developed regular supply arrangements with a private sugar mill in Ambedkar Nagar.
Sources said that after the Sathiaon sugar mill became aware of the shift, it tightened its stance. Police stations in Atraulia, Ahraula and Maharajganj were reportedly contacted, and directions were issued to stop sugarcane vehicles heading towards the Ambedkar Nagar mill. In some instances, farmers were allegedly made to sit at police stations.
Farmers bringing sugarcane to the Sathiaon mill also accused it of deducting between one and four quintals per load. They said the process begins when token slips are issued, as employees inspect the crop at that stage. Farmers alleged that early-maturing sugarcane is often treated as regular cane.
Farmers said employees mark token slips with letter codes. They claimed that a code marked A leads to a deduction of one quintal, B to two quintals, C to three quintals and D to four quintals. During weighing, staff allegedly lift the scale with a rod to apply the preset deduction before completing the process.
