Committed to protect interests of cane farmers: Akhilesh

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today said the state government was committed to protect the interests of cane farmers.
The CM said this during a meeting with farmer leaders, including national spokesman of Bhartiya Kisan Union Rakesh Tikait and state president Rajesh Chauhan and chairmen of cane societies.
He directed the officers to fix a date for payment of cane dues to the farmers by private sugar mills.
Akhilesh said that after the scheduled date, stern action should be taken against defaulting sugar mills.
He also directed to take stern action against mills diverting fund of cash credit limits from the banks.

The CM said that payment of Rs 218 crore of cooperative sugar mills against cane dues would be done.

The delegation members demanded speedy payment of cane dues of farmers.
Akhilesh assured that the government would ensure effective solution of the problem.
The BKU had announced to observe indefinite chakka jam on the issue of cane dues.
The union reportedly held chakka jams at a few places in western UP.