Announcing that the sugarcane farmers would get their dues worth Rs 300 crore in three installments, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Friday declared that the State Government would not tolerate the exploitation of farmers by the private mill owners. Dhaliwal, during a meeting with the leaders of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), said that the owners of the private mills would be asked to ensure timely payments to the farmers; and in case of non-compliance, the mill would have to shut shop. At the same time, the Minister said that there would be no shortage of sugarcane in the State even if the Government itself has to run the mills. “Punjab Government stands fully committed to spare no effort for ensuring welfare and prosperity of the farming community of the State. As part of this, it is the firm resolve of the State Government to adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards the exploitation of sugarcane farmers by the private mill owners,” said Dhaliwal.