The Punjab and Haryana High Court set a three-day deadline for the states of Punjab and Haryana to come up with a definite proposal for clearing dues of sugarcane growers, reports Tribune.
Fixing May 13 as the next date of hearing, the High Court also directed the Cane Commissioners of Punjab and Haryana to remain present in the court. The Punjab Financial Commissioner, Cooperation, and the Managing Director of Haryana State Federation of Cooperative Sugar Mills Limited too were asked to be present.
Taking up a petition filed in public interest the court said both the state governments have to give a clear-cut deadline for the payment of dues to the farmers facing difficulties, particularly due to bad weather.
The development is significant as the sale of sugarcane has been giving sleepless nights to farmers in Punjab and Haryana. The Punjab Government admitted before the High Court that Rs 294.38 crores was yet to be paid to farmers by nine cooperative sugar mills. Another Rs 393.05 crores was to be paid by seven private sugar mills to farmers. The situation was hardly better in Haryana. No less than Rs 576.95 crore is outstanding against 10 cooperative sugar mills. Another Rs 354.26 crore is to be paid to farmers by three private sugar mills in Haryana.
The court said the period fixed by the Punjab government was unacceptable, particularly when the payment was to be made within 14 days of sugarcane delivery by farmers to sugar mills or agents.
The court rapped the Punjab Cane Commissioner for filing an unsatisfactory affidavit as it failed to explain why a “huge amount” had been allowed to get accumulated and why steps were not taken earlier to ensure payment of dues within the prescribed time.