Punjab News Express
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today constituted a high level committee comprising State Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary (Development), Principal Secretary Finance and Principal Secretary Cooperation to thoroughly 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 ongoing crushing season.
A decision to this effect was taken by the Chief Minister, while presiding over a high level meeting in wake of the prevailing Sugarcane crisis in the state, at his residence late last evening.
Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of Chief Minister’s Office said that the committee has been asked to submit its detailed report to the Chief Minister within a week and has been mandated to work out modalities to hasten the process of clearing the outstanding payments of the sugarcane farmers due towards the private sugar mill owners. Likewise, the committee has also been asked to give suggestions to ensure hassle free current crushing season besides evolving a mechanism for assured timely payment to the farmers supplying sugarcane to both the private and cooperative sugar mills.
It may be recalled that against the total outstanding arrears of Rs.540 crore due towards cooperative sugar mills, Rs.210 crore and Rs.240 crore has been paid by the cooperative sugar mills and government respectively. The balance amount of Rs.90 crore would be made by the state government in September 2015. Similarly, the total amount of outstanding arrears towards the private sugar mills was Rs.1123 crore, out of which payment to the tune of Rs.900 crore has been made and the remainder Rs.223 crore was still to be paid to the farmers.
Prominent amongst other present in the meeting included Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Finance DP Reddy and Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Gaggandip Singh Brar.