Sugarcane issue stalls Parliament on second day

Parliament was rocked for the second day today over the new sugarcane pricing policy with a united opposition mounting further pressure on the government to withdraw the controversial ordinance that saw massive farmers’ protests yesterday.

It was trouble from the word go in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha as opposition parties closed ranks to take on the government which has convened an all-party meeting on Monday to hammer out a solution.

“Withdraw the black order”, “Take back anti-farmers’ ordinance,” shouted members of BJP and SP who stormed the well in both Houses.

The agitated opposition was protesting against the Sugar Control (Amendment) Order, which fixes a uniform Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane growers. Anything over and above the FRP will have to be borne by the states unlike in the past when the burden was to be taken by the mills.

Besides the new pricing policy, the farmers, especially in Uttar Pradesh, are demanding hike in cane prices because they feel the industry is making huge profits as sugar is selling at Rs 40 a kg.

Members of RLD and BJD were also in the well in the Lok Sabha, while members of almost the entire opposition were on their feet in support of the demand.

Both the Houses witnessed adjournments soon after they met for the day. The Rajya Sabha was forced to call it a day after two adjournments while the Lok Sabha after one adjournment.