SP demands immediate functioning of sugarcane mills

Lucknow, Oct 24 (UNI) The opposition Samajwadi Party today demanded immediate functioning of sugarcane mills in Uttar Pradesh and announcement of sugarcane minimum support price (MSP).

Besides, the party has also demanded clearing of the sugarcane dues of farmers.

A party spokesman said here, the state government was apathetic towards the farmers' plight.

The crushing season had started and the sugarcane mills were yet to start functioning, he charged.

The party has blamed the state government for ''entering into a tacit understanding'' with sugarcane mill owners at the cost of farmers' interest.

SP further claimed that a total of Rs 2,500 crore in last year's sugarcane payment to farmers was due on sugarmills, which was yet to be cleared.

UNI