In the election year, the Yogi Adityanath government announced a significant increase of Rs 20 per quintal in sugarcane prices across all three varieties of sugarcane, bringing smiles on the faces of cane farmers.
The decision was taken in the cabinet meeting held here on Thursday.
“The decision to increase sugarcane prices is a testament to the government’s commitment to supporting the agricultural community,” Finance Minister Suresh Khanna told reporters after the meeting.
In the current pricing structure, normal sugarcane is priced at Rs 340 per quintal while the early variety of sugarcane is priced at Rs 350 per quintal. The hike of Rs 20 per quintal is expected to provide a welcome boost to the incomes of sugarcane farmers across the state, he added.
The minister said the government had previously raised sugarcane prices by Rs 25 per quintal in 2021 ahead of the assembly election. “The proactive approach towards revising sugarcane prices reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to address the concerns of the farming community and ensure their economic well-being,” Khanna said.
Agriculture Minister Lakshmi Narayan, who was also present, said the state advised price (SAP) for the early variety of sugarcane would now be Rs 370 per quintal, up from Rs 350 per quintal, and that of the normal variety would increase from Rs 340 per quintal to Rs 360 per quintal.
The cabinet meeting also paved the way for the establishment of three new private universities in the state.
Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay announced the approval for JSS University in Noida, Saroj University in Lucknow, and Sharda University in Agra under the private sector. Upadhyay highlighted the improvement in the quality of higher education in the state under the Yogi government, with several universities achieving high rankings.
A landmark decision was the approval of the much-anticipated Semiconductor Policy 2024, making Uttar Pradesh the fourth state in India to adopt such a policy.
Upadhyay explained that the policy aims to position UP as a leader in the semiconductor manufacturing sector, attracting significant investment. The policy includes a provision for a fund of Rs 80,000 crore from the Government of India, with 75 per cent participation from the UP government. Various financial incentives, including a 75 per cent subsidy on land up to 200 acres, were also highlighted.
In a gesture honouring the centenary of the Chauri Chaura incident during the independence movement, the Yogi cabinet approved changing the name of Mundera Bazar Nagar Panchayat in Gorakhpur to Chauri Chaura Nagar Panchayat.
“This decision holds cultural and historical significance, commemorating the heritage associated with the Chauri Chaura incident,” the minister said.
Additionally, changes in the Uttar Pradesh Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Policy were approved to exempt private MSME units and pledge parks from conversion fees for changing the land use of agricultural land under development authorities to industrial.
The council of ministers also granted exemptions from taxes imposed under the Uttar Pradesh Municipal Corporation, Act 1959 for Metro Rail, RRTS (Regional Rapid Transit System) and all their properties.
