The News Freedom
Chandigarh, December 1
Farmers rejected the hike of Rs 11 in sugarcane price announced by the Punjab government on Friday. Protests surfaced following the perceived inadequate raise, resulting in the blockage of the Jalandhar-Pathankot-Jammu National Highway during the afternoon hours. Reports indicate that farmers, dissatisfied with the marginal increase, took to the highway to voice their dissent. However, later in the day, a decision was made to partially open one side of the national highway, while they decided to continue dharna. President of BKU (Doaba), Manjit S. Rai, told the media about the urgent need for a substantial minimum increase of Rs 20 per quintal in the State Agreed Price (SAP) for sugarcane.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday announced a hike of Rs 11 in SAP thereby ensuring that the farmers will get Rs 391 per quintal for their yield. In a statement issued by the state government, the Chief Minister asserted that in Punjab Rs 11 is considered as a good omen so his government has given this gift to the farmers. He said that Punjab will be giving the highest rate of sugarcane across the country thereby immensely benefitting its farmers. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he had in a recently held meeting with the farmers promised them that the state will lead the country in maximum sugarcane price adding that today he has fulfilled his promise.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has always been on top to provide rates to the sugarcane cultivators and now this trend has been continued. He said that the state government was giving Rs 380 per quintal as the State Agreed Price (SAP) of the sugarcane which was the highest in the country till Haryana had recently enhanced it to Rs 386 per quintal. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has now decided to revise this price upwardly, thus ensuring that the farmers of the state are immensely benefitted by it.
The Chief Minister said that his government is committed for the well being of every strata of society including the farmers, traders, weaker sections, employees and others. He said that in the coming days good news for the other sections of the society will also be given so as to ensure that a ‘Rangla Punjab’ is carved out. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is ensuring judicious use of the people’s money for their well being adding that a slew of pro-people and development oriented policies have been embarked in the state.