97 of the 119 sugar mills of Uttar Pradesh have started making payments to farmers on the last year’s rate
BIJNOR: At least 97 of the 119 sugar mills of Uttar Pradesh have started making payments to farmers on the last year’s rate as the state government “failed” to announce State Advised Price (SAP) for this season. According to officials, over 48% of the total payment has already been made by the mills, which already owe Rs 9,000 crore to the growers.
Talking to TOI, administrative officer in Bijnor sugar mills, AK Singh said, “There is a slump in sugar market. Government has not increased the minimum price for sugar this year. We are selling sugar at Rs 3,260 per quintal including all taxes. Mills are getting Rs 3,100 per quintal after paying taxes. It is the minimum price for sugar while cost of production of sugar is higher than the prices which mills get. That is why sugar industries have urged the government not to increase SAP for sugarcane in the current season.