Sugarcane crushing season to commence from 8th-15th November in all sugar mills of state: Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa

Spokesman News Service: Chandigarh, November 4: The Cooperation Minister, Punjab, S. Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has said that the sugarcane crushing work in all the sugar mills of the State would commence from 8^th-15^th November. He further said that all the sugar mills would be issued directions by the SUGARFED to make proper arrangements during the fixed timeframe and start the crushing work so as to not let the sugarcane farmers encounter any difficulty.

In a press communiqué issued here today, S. Randhawa laying bare the true picture before those protesting on the issue with political ends, said that during the past 10 years of the previous regime the sugarcane crushing work usually began in mid-December whereas he has ensured its commencement one month in advance. The minister asked those protesting that why didn’t they voiced their protests then? He further said that these protests are politically motivated and have absolutely no connection with the farmers or their interests.

Had the protestors been the true well wishers of the farming community then they wouldn’t have been sitting quiet over the course of past 10 years. He also said that it is a pro-farmer initiative of the present Punjab Government which has also emerged as the benefactor of the farming sector through its debt relief scheme.

Divulging more, the Cooperation Minister while giving details of the previous decade said that in 2015-16 the crushing work began on 4^th December in the sugar mill at Gurdaspur & Batala, in 2012-13 in Ajnala sugar mill the work commenced on 7^th December, In 2009-10 the work started in Bhogpur sugar mill on the 16^th December, In 2009-10 the work got kickstarted on 30^th November in Nawanshahar sugar mill.

 In 2016-17 in Nakodar sugar mill the work began on 6^th December, In 2009-10 and 2011-12 in Buddhewal sugar mill the work began on 5^th December, In Morinda sugar mill the work started on 1^st December in 2008-09, 2011-12 & 2015-16 while in the Fazilka sugar mill the work started on the 15^th of December in 2011-12.

Meanwhile the Managing Director of SUGARFED Mr. Davinder Singh has said that as per the directions of the Cooperation Minister the sugarcane crushing work would commence in all the sugar mills from 8^th-15^th November and directions are being given to all the mills in this regard.