UP cane bodies for parties espousing farmers' cause

Even as the stalemate over the supply of sugarcane to the mills in Uttar Pradesh continues, the State Cooperative Sugarcane Societies have announced support to any political party, which upholds their cause.“We are not associated with any political party. However, anyone who raises our voice, will get our full support,” UP Cooperative Sugarcane Societies’ Federation Chairman Shrikant Singh told Business Standard.

The deadlock is over the price of cane. While, the state government has announced the State Advised Price (SAP) of Rs 165 per quintal for the common variety, the farmers are demanding no less than Rs 280.

“The retail sugar prices were around Rs 17 last year and SAP was Rs 140. This year the sugar prices have more than doubled to almost Rs 36. So, the farmers should be paid Rs 280,” he justified.The federation held a meeting in Lucknow recently and passed a resolution that under no circumstances cane would be supplied to mills below Rs 280. “We will hold demonstrations in all the districts on November 13, if the issue is not resolved by then,” Singh said.