CENTRE KEEN TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE OF SUGARCANE PRICES , SAYS AGRICULTURE MINISTER

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The Centre is making all efforts to solve the problems of sugarcane growers in Uttar Pradesh. The Union Agriculture Minister Shri Rajnath Singh said this at a meeting with representatives of 18 co-operative societies of sugarcane growers from the State here today. He said that a Committee consisting of Food, Agriculture and Expenditure Secretaries has discussed all aspects of the problem of sugarcane prices. It has been asked to find a solution within 2-3 days. Shri Rajnath Singh said that the solution must be viable for sugar mills and its impact on other States also must be kept in mind. He said that the Prime Minister is keen to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

Earlier, the representatives of the sugarcane cooperative societies requested the Minister to facilitate early payment of their arrears by sugar mills. They said that if the payment was not made at the rate of Rs.95/- to Rs. 100/- per quintal of sugarcane, farmers would not have any incentive to grow sugarcane next year. The Agriculture Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Hukum Singh was also present at the Meeting.