The Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU-Doaba) has warned the Punjab Government of a state-wide agitation if the pending sugarcane payments of growers are not cleared and their other demands, including an increase in the sugarcane procurement price, are not addressed by November 18.
The decision was taken at a state-level meeting of BKU leaders and members held at Gurdwara Sukhchaina Sahib, Phagwara, on Thursday under the leadership of the union’s state president, Manjit Singh Rai. The meeting discussed pending sugarcane arrears, the sugarcane price for the forthcoming season and cases being registered against cultivators over stubble burning.
Union leaders noted that around Rs 27 crore pertaining to the 2021-22 sugarcane season remained unpaid to farmers by Golden Sandhar Sugar Mill, Phagwara during the meeting. They alleged that when the Rana Group acquired the sugar mill, its present owners had agreed to clear the outstanding dues of growers, but the payments had still not been made.
The leaders further asserted that a bonus amounting to roughly Rs 19 crore for the 2025-26 season was also pending with the state government. They decided that if the government did not manage to take concrete steps towards clearing the pending payments by November 18, the union would announce a strong protest programme.
The issue of cases being registered against farmers for stubble burning also figured prominently in the deliberations. The union leaders argued that growers were being compelled to burn crop residue due to the lack of adequate and affordable alternatives provided by the government. They sought that the registration of cases against farmers be halted.
The union leaders also called upon growers to peacefully oppose any attempt by authorities to register cases over stubble burning. Meanwhile, they urged cultivators not to resort to violence or use force against administration authorities, even if faced with force during such confrontations. The union cautioned that carried on registration of cases against farmers would lead to a stringent protest against the state administration.
Concerning sugarcane prices for the forthcoming season, BKU leaders noted that the cost of cultivation had risen considerably, with farmers’ expenses estimated at about Rs 600 per quintal. They reiterated their demand for an increase in the sugarcane price from the existing Rs 416 to Rs 550 per quintal and appealed to the state administration to announce the revised rate before November 18.
The meeting further resolved that if the government did not manage to act on the demands, another state-level meeting of BKU would be held at Gurdwara Sukhchaina Sahib, Phagwara, on November 18 to unveil further protests.
The union leaders also indicated that a decision could be taken at the November 18 meeting concerning participation in the suggested Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) protest slated for November 20 at Dhanowali Railway Crossing in Jalandhar.
