Cane farmers’ protest spreads to east,centre

The Bharatiya Kisan Union has asked the farmers to set up vigilance teams in districts to keep an eye on consignments of imported raw sugar. Earlier this month,farmers burnt raw sugar at Shamli railway station in Muzaffar Nagar district.

Interestingly,even as two mills in the cooperative sector and two private sector mills in west UP announced to commence cane crushing from November 9,the farmers have refused to sell sugarcane until the state advisory price is revised to Rs 280 per quintal. The UP government has fixed SAP for 2009-10 varying from Rs 165 to Rs 170 per quintal,depending on the quality of cane.

An official with the Cane department said cane cooperative societies are unwilling to sign agreements with mills until the price is revised.

The protests also resounded in political circles with Congress leader from Pilibhit and president of Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangh V M Singh accusing Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Ajit Singh and Samajwadi Party leaders of spreading confusion among farmers over cane prices.

“The UP government has already rejected the fair and remunerative price (FRP) of sugarcane announced by the Centre,and it was well within the right of the state government to enhance the SAP to Rs 280. Come what may,the farmers will not sell sugarcane below this price,” said Singh.

The Centre had fixed the FRP at Rs.129.84 per quintal.