Sugarcane farmers’ woes mount as payment delays persist: LOP Partap Singh Bajwa

The agricultural community in Punjab, particularly sugarcane cultivators, is grappling with a series of distressing challenges, prompting a fervent appeal for immediate intervention. In a detailed letter addressed to CM Punjab Bhagwant Mann, Senior Congress Leader, and Leader of the opposition Partap Singh Bajwa has highlighted the escalating woes faced by sugarcane farmers in the state.
The foremost concern pertains to pending payments from the preceding year, totaling significant amounts at Dhuri and Phagwara Sugar Mills, amounting to Rs 20 crores and Rs 45 crores, respectively. These delayed payments have severely impacted the livelihoods of farmers, raising issues of compliance with the Punjab Sugarcane (Purchase and Supply Regulation) Act, 1953.
Moreover, the closure announcement of Bhagwanpura Sugar Mills in Dhuri and the ongoing financial dispute at Phagwara Sugar Mills have further exacerbated the situation, contributing to distress among the farming community.
A critical observation points to the delayed start of the crushing season due to the ambiguous wording in the government’s notification, allowing mills to commence operations “from” 21.11.2023 rather than “by” the specified date. Consequently, the delay has left farmers in a precarious situation as their mature crop awaits procurement.Adding to their plight, the unannounced sugarcane prices for the 2023-24 season in Punjab have intensified the challenges faced by farmers, particularly concerning amidst the recent flooding and the outbreak of the “Red Rot disease,” causing significant crop damage and yield loss.