Chandigarh: After Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) chief Balbir Singh Rajewal last week came down heavily upon the state government for being partial towards Punjab’s sugar mill owners and promoting their interests on the cost of farmer’s. The Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has decided to hike the State Agreed Price (SAP) of sugarcane in the interest of the cane growers.
Image For Representation.
It has been decided to increase the SAP by Rs 10 per quintal for the crushing season 2017-18, an official spokesperson said, adding that the Chief Minister was in favour of the hike following BKU’s protest, coupled with farm loan waiver, would go a long way in alleviating the woes of the state’s farmers.
The cabinet decided to increase SAP from Rs.300 to Rs.310 for early variety, Rs.290 to Rs.300 for mid variety and Rs.285 to Rs.295 per quintal for late variety. The hike, in line with the increase given by Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, was estimated to put an additional burden of Rs.20 crore on the state exchequer.
According to the spokesperson, a total quantity of 675 lac quintal of sugarcane was expected to arrive in 16 sugar mills, including nine in cooperative and seven in private sector, during the current crushing season.