No change in SAP for sugarcane in U'khand

Last year, the cane price was Rs 285 a quintal in the state

The Uttarakhand government has made no change in the state agreed price (SAP) for sugarcane for 2014-15, on the lines of Uttar Pradesh. Last year, the cane price was Rs 285 a quintal in the hill state.

In 2012-13, the government had made an increase of 15 per cent in the state agreed price, fixing it at Rs 285 from Rs 250. Since then, there has been no change in the state agreed price.

"The sugarcane price of Rs 285 is the highest among many states such as Uttar Pradesh," said Sugarcane Development Minister S S Negi.

For the normal and early varieties, prices were fixed at Rs 285 and Rs 295, respectively, Negi said. The availability of the rejected variety is negligible in Uttarakhand.

The state government, however, did not make any commitment about any sops for the ailing sugar mills and rejected a demand of the Opposition to increase the SAP further.

"Our sugar mills are already facing losses. We cannot increase SAP further which will create death-knell for the mills where farmers sell their produce to earn money," said Negi.

Experts said the announcement of SAP at Rs 285-295 was on expected lines, as Uttarakhand sugarcane prices has always been more than that of Uttar Pradesh.

The resentment had been growing among farmers against non-declaration of SAP during the past one month. Farmers were demanding SAP around Rs 300-350.