Punjab govt releases pending sugarcane arrears of mills

The Punjab government today cleared all the pending dues of the sugarcane farmers towards the state cooperative sugar mills.
Against the total outstanding arrears of Rs 540 crore due towards cooperative sugar mills, Rs 210 crore and Rs 240 crore have already been paid by the cooperative sugar mills and government, said a spokesperson of Chief Minister's Office.
"Fulfilling its promise to release the second installment of Rs 90 crore this month, the Punjab government has released this amount today clearing all the outstanding sugarcane arrears of the farmers due towards the state cooperative mills," the spokesman said.
On the directions of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, a high level committee of senior officers, headed by State Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal, today met here to examine all aspects related to non-payment of outstanding sugarcane dues to the cane growers by the owners of the private sugar mills besides finding out ways and means to ensure smooth crushing season.

The Chief Minister has already directed the officers to submit a detailed report in this regard within a week.
The spokesperson said that the committee is again meeting the owners of private sugar mills on Wednesday to work out modalities to hasten the process of clearing the outstanding payments of the sugarcane farmers due towards them.