PHAGWARA: The Farmers belonging to Bhartiya Kisan Union(Doaba) headed by its President Manjit Singh Rai have warned the government to intensify their stir if the arrears of sugarcane growers could not be given by October 15.
BKU General Secretary Satnam Singh Sahni while talking to newsmen here today that this ultimatum was given in a meeting of leaders/activists of BKU/Doaba which was held at Sukhchaina Saheb Gurudwara, Phagwara on Sunday.
Kirpal Singh Mussapur, Vice President BKU/Doaba said the meeting was held to discuss the matter of pending arrears of Sugarcane farmers by Golden Sandhar Sugar Mill Phagwara and non lifting of paddy from the shellers by Punjab Govt.
During the meeting the leaders discussed that in the meeting held with Chief Secretary VK Singh IAS with farmer leaders in which it was assured that concrete steps would be taken towards pending arrears of Sugarcane farmers by Sugar Mill Phagwara. The leaders further stated that a total of 3 Crore 54 Lakh was pending towards the Punjab Government for payment of Subsidy of Rs.55 per tonne to Sugarcane farmers out of which 3 Crore 45 Lakhs have been paid by the Government to the farmers and remaining 09 Lakhs would also be paid by the Punjab Government in coming days.
The leaders further discussed that the Phagwara Administration has put up auction of land of Mill owners on October 14, it is hopeful that through auction of land of mill owners the pending arrears of sugarcane farmers could be paid. Thus it was decided in the meeting to wait till October 15 to see what actions are taken by the Phagwara Administration towards the payment of arrears of Sugarcane farmers. The leaders decided that in case of failure of Administration to take any positive step towards the payment of arrears of Sugarcane farmers then a meeting of leaders/activists of BKU/Doaba would be organised and strict protest action would be proposed by the Union against the Sugar Mill Phagwara