Uttar Pradesh govt asks sugar mills to pay Rs 123 bn dues in 15 days

In the current season, that is 2017-18, UP's sugar production was around 12 mt on the back of higher production and a rise in recovery ratio of 10.87%

Sugar mills in Uttar Pradesh, the country’s largest sugar and sugarcane producing state, have been put on a 15-day notice to settle cane dues of over Rs 123 billion, failing which stringent action will be taken against them.

Ensuring timely sugarcane payments had been one of the main pre-poll promises of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state. Now, UP principal secretary - sugar industry and cane development - Sanjay Bhoosreddy has issued strict instructions to 28 sugar mills, which have paid less than 50 per cent of the cane price, for speedy settlement. 

Chairing a meeting on Thursday, he