Ensure procurement of sugarcane: MPs

New Delhi, Nov 23 (UNI) Mr Munshi Ram (RLD) and Mr M Shivanna (JD-S) today raised in the Lok Sabha the plight of sugarcane growers in Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka respectively and urged the Centre to intervene and ensure that their crops were procured by the sugar mills.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Mr Munshi Ram said sugarcane production had gone up by 50 per cent in Uttar Pradesh, but the mills were yet to start procurement and crushing despite the government's assurance that the mills would be operational early this year.

The government should start at least two mills in each district to prevent exploitation of the farmers by private mill owners.

Mr Shivanna said farmers were not being paid the minimum support price (MSP) by the mills.

UNI