Record sugar production in UP

Lucknow, Apr 9 (UNI) A record sugar production of 53.72 lakh tonnes has been recorded by sugar mills across Uttar Pradesh during the period ended March 31.

State Cane Commissioner Rahul Bhatnagar told UNI here today the present production was 3.72 lakh tonnes more than the output in the corresponding period last year.

Mr Bhatnagar further informed that growth was also registered in cane crushing by the sugar mills during the same period. A total of 56.92 crore quintal tonnes of sugar cane was crushed by mills till, which was over eight crore quintal more than the previous year levels, pegged at 48.58 crore quintals.

The Cane Commissioner said 58 lakh to 60 lakh tonne sugar production was expected in the state this year, which if realised will be a record. While 41 per cent of the total sugar cane produced was crushed last year, this year the figure has shot upto 48 per cent.

On the payment of dues to cane farmers, Mr Bhatnagar said the mills had paid dues worth Rs 6,150 crores till March 31, which is 1,800 crore more than the payments made in the previous year.

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