People's Democracy

Stop Neglect Of Sugarcane Growers - AIKS

The All India Kisan Sabhaexpressed its strong protest against the inaction of the central government in protecting the interests of the sugarcane farmers in the country. It felt the statutory minimum price fixed by the government for sugarcane at Rs 74.50 per quintal for 2004-2005 season is inadequate and it has not taken into consideration the increase in the cost of production. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs also decided to raise the base recovery rate from 8.5 to 9 per cent for 2005-2006 season. The factorywise statutory minimum price for sugarcane will be fixed by taking into account the whole season recovery rate of sugar factory with effect from 2004-2005 season. For the past three decades, 8.5 per cent was the standard in deciding the statutory minimum price and it was based on the highest recovery in the peak period in the previous season. The UPA government has also decided to import raw sugar without duty. The cumulative effect of all these decisions are disastrous to the interests of the sugarcane growers in the country, felt the AIKS.

The steps taken by the UPA government in the sugar sector show that it is following the footsteps of the previous NDA government and only favouring the interests of the sugar mill owners and international traders. The All India Kisan Sabha urged upon the central government to reverse the anti-peasant policy measures announced in the sugarcane sector. (INN)