Bajwa to lead Congress dharna outside Phagwara sugar mill on August 25

Punjab News Express/Sameer Kaura
PHAGWARA: keeping in view the unfair, unilateral anti-farmer decision of the sugar mill owners and the utterly insensitive attitude of the Badal government, the Congress party has decided to hold series of Dharna’s against the powerful ultra rich sugar mill owners under the leadership of PPCC President Partap Singh Bajwa and the first Dharna will be held at Phagwara on August 25 and thereafter against all other private sugar mills.

Addressing a news conference here today, PPCC Sr Leader Sukhpaul Singh Khaira alleged that the conspiracy of silence being maintained by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal who otherwise claims to be the sole champion of farmer rights. Is it because his son junior Badal holds “benami” shares in the Wahad- Sandhar sugar mill of Phagwara? He must clarify the stoic silence over gross exploitation of aggrieved farmers. It is also saddening to note, that the BKU the representative organization is
also maintaining a studied silence over this burning issue.

Khaira said private sugar mill owners have issued public notices announcing closure of their units, for the ensuing 2015-16 cane crushing season. The reason cited by these private millers is the imbalance between the high MSP of Rs. 295 per quintal price of sugarcane and the cost of production of sugar. One can understand that no industry can survive without the economics of profitability, but since sugar mills are agro industry and the only source of survival of the farmers, therefore there are certain moral and social responsibilities that these ultra rich industrialists have towards the people of their state.

The sudden decision of the mill owners not to procure sugarcane crop and to close down their units, will leave lacs of
farmers in the lurch and further add to their woes.

Khaira alleged that the decision of the private sugar mill owners to close down their industry for 2015-16 season is also reinforced by the fact, that these mills have not bound the sugarcane crop till now, which is otherwise a routine preparatory
practice by them for procurement of the crop. If the government cannot ensure honorable procurement of sugarcane crop and cannot pay the huge arrears of Rs. 682 crores, what hope can the farmers have from such an inefficient and anti-farmer government, if they diversify to other crops?