SP stages walk out over arrears to cane farmers

Lucknow, July 2 (UNI) The main Opposition Samajwadi Party (SP) today staged a noisy walk out in the Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly over arrears due to sugarcane farmers by sugar mills.

Naresh Agarwal (SP) during Question Hour raised the issue of the amount due to cane growers.

In his reply, state Parliamentary Affairs minister Lalji Verma said about Rs 2100 crore was due to the cane farmers. ''Out of Rs 11005 crore, Rs 8971 crore have been paid to the farmers. When The Opposition reminded him about a recent High Court order asking sugar mills to pay an interest of 15 per cent if they defaulted on payments, the ministrer said three sugar mills have been issued with recovery certificates (RCs) and have been asked to pay the 15 per cent inerest. ''The other sugar mills have been given time till August 31 to clear the arrears,'' he added.

Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav demanded suspension of the question. When the government refused, the SP staged a noisy walkout from the proceedings.

UNI