Ending an impasse over crushing of sugarcane State government announced that an agreement has been reached with the private sugar mills of the state for starting crushing as per calendar from next month.
Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan announced here on Tuesday that the government has extended the time to the mills till November 20 to pay their outstanding dues of Rs 2,500 crore of the farmers.“Government will withdraw the FIRs registered against the mills besides government will consider other sops for them, including raising the subsidy to Rs 9 per quintal from Rs 6,” he told reporters.
The agreement was reached between the UP government and the representatives of the UP Sugar Mills Association (UPSMA).Principal Secretary Sugar Development Rahul Bhatnagar said a high powered committee was considering the rate of the State Advisory Price (SAP) and very soon it would be announced.
However, UPSMA officials said that they have not committed yet on starting crushing. But they have informed the government that the maintenance work of over 90 private sugar mills would start immediately.“We are observing all the developments and the government initiatives but the date to start the crushing season has not been decided,” the UPSMA spokesman said.