Why Centre's sugarcane draft rules are roiling farmers in Uttar Pradesh

The Centre’s proposed changes to the Sugarcane Control Order have sparked concern among farmers and small jaggery makers in western Uttar Pradesh. Farmer groups say the new rules could hurt traditional gur and khandsari units while tightening control over cane pricing. But this debate is also political. With the 2027 UP elections approaching, the sugarcane belt is once again becoming a battleground.