E-Paper
Kapurthala DC writes to 22 counterparts to attach properties of Phagwara sugar mill
The Kapurthala DC, in his letter on Monday, asked all his counterparts to identify properties of Phagwara sugar mill and if any ownership of land/property is found, then it must be informed after attaching it as per the rules
Deputy commissioner Vishesh Sarangal has written to 22 DC-cum-district collectors in Punjab to attach properties of Phagwara sugar mill across the state over non-payment of sugarcane dues to the tune of ₹ 35.75 crore to farmers following an indefinite protest launched by the cane growers demanding payment of arrears.
Scores of farmers on Monday began an indefinite protest by partially blocking the Jalandhar-Phagwara national highway demanding payment of cane arrears.
The Kapurthala DC, in his letter on Monday asked all his counterparts to identify the property in revenue records in the name of Golden Sandhar Sugar Mill Limited Phagwara or Wahad Sandhar Sugar Mill, Phagwara (Kapurthala) and if any ownership of land/property is found, then it must be informed after attaching it as per the rules, so that the farmers can be paid their dues by taking further action regarding recovery.
The DC said that additional chief secretary Agriculture, Punjab, commissioner Jalandhar division, and cane commissioner, Mohali, have also been informed in this regard.
He also highlighted that the mill had to pay ₹ 122.39 crores to the sugarcane producers by the year 2021-22, out of which ₹ 86.64 crores have been paid till May 23, while the payment of ₹ 35.75 crores is pending.
Sarangal said that as per the law, if farmers are not paid within 14 days of purchase of their sugarcane, the owner has to pay 15 % annual interest under the Sugarcane Control Order 1966 and the Essential Commodities Act 1955.
