RLD warns of blockade if cane farmers not paid in one go

Rashtriya Lok Dal, joined by farmers, staged a protest at the collectorate here demanding the government pressurise the sugar mill owners to pay the cane growers remuneration in one go.
The RLD's western UP in-charge Rajkumar Sangwan warned that they would block roads and railways if the government fails to meet their demands.
The protesters came in form of a procession and thronged the collectorate, where extra police force was deployed to handle the situation.
If the government is not raising the sugarcane prices under the pressure from the mill owners, they should at least ensure farmers are paid their due amount at the rate of Rs 280 a quintal in one go, Sangwan said.

They also submitted a memorandum, addressed to the Chief Minister, to the district administration.
Addressing the gathering, Sangwan accused the central and state government of "joining hands" with the mill owners to "destroy" farmers.

The central government has been giving loan to mill owners at zero interest rate. State government is also giving them rebates. But nobody cares as to how the farmers will repay their loan, he alleged.
He also alleged that Central and state government were "conspiring" to implement the Rangarajan Committee's recommendations.
It will be fiercely opposed, he said.