Now, instant payment to Punjab sugarcane growers too

Chandigarh, June 29 (IANS) The Punjab government Sunday announced that sugarcane growers in the state will get instant payment for their produce on the lines of wheat and paddy growing farmers.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said the chief secretary and financial commissioner, finance have been asked to ensure instant payment for sugarcane in future to farmers as in the case of wheat and paddy.

Farmers growing wheat and paddy get their payment within 48 to 72 hours of their stocks being purchased by government agencies.

Giving relief to sugarcane growers, Badal also announced to clear outstanding arrears of Rs 148.5 crore to sugarcane farmers for the 2013-14 season within a week.

Legislators of the opposition Congress had held a protest outside Badal's residence here last week seeking payment of arrears of Rs.183 crore to sugarcane farmers.

Badal said that out of Rs.464 crore on account of the total cost of sugarcane purchased by the state cooperative mills, over Rs.250 crore had already been cleared by these mills.