Badal constitutes committee to look into cane growers' issues

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today constituted a high-level committee to thoroughly examine all aspects related to non-payment of outstanding sugarcane dues to cane growers by owners of the private sugar mills.
Besides, it would find out ways and means to ensure smooth ongoing crushing season.
The committee comprises of State Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary (Development), Principal Secretary Finance and Principal Secretary Cooperation, an official spokesman said here.
A decision to this effect was taken by the Chief Minister while presiding over a meeting here in the wake of prevailing sugarcane crisis in the state.
The spokesman said that the committee has been asked to submit its detailed report to the Chief Minister within a week and has been mandated to work out modalities to hasten the process of clearing the outstanding payments of the sugarcane farmers by private sugar mill owners.

Likewise, the committee has also been asked to give suggestions to ensure hassle free current crushing season besides evolving a mechanism for assured timely payment to the farmers supplying sugarcane to both the private and cooperative sugar mills.

Against the total outstanding arrears of Rs 540 crore due towards cooperative sugar mills, Rs 210 crore and Rs 240 crore has been paid by the cooperative sugar mills and government respectively, he said.
The balance amount of Rs 90 crore would be paid in September 2015.
Similarly, the total amount of outstanding arrears towards the private sugar mills was Rs 1,123 crore, out of which payment to the tune of Rs 900 crore has been made and the remaining Rs 223 crore is still to be paid.