Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Kapurthala DC writes letters to 22 Deputy Commissioners of Punjab; Know why
To ensure dues to sugarcane farmers, process to attach the property of Phagwara sugar mill across the state starts
Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal
Kapurthala/Phagwara, August 8, 2022: Due to the non-payment of sugarcane dues by the Golden Sandhar Sugar Mill Limited at Phagwara to farmers , Deputy Commissioner Kapurthala Vishesh Sarangal has taken strict action by initiating the process to attach every property of the mill across the state.
A letter in this regard has been written by the Deputy commissioner to all other 22 Deputy commissioners Cum District collectors of the State.
The letter written on August 8, 2022, by DC Kapurthala has asked all other counterparts to found the property in revenue records in the name of Golden Sandhar Sugar Mill Limited Phagwara or Wahad Sandhar Sugar Mill , Phagwara (Kapurthala), If any ownership of land/property is found, than 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.
Deputy commissioner also said that Additional Chief Secretary Agriculture, Punjab, Commissioner Jalandhar Division, and Cane Commissioner, Mohali have also been informed in this regard.
It may be mentioned here that as per the Mill had to pay Rs. 122.39 crore to the sugarcane producers by the year 2021-22, out of which 86.64 crore rupees have been paid till 23-05-2022 while the payment of 35.75 crore rupees is pending. .
He clarified that due to non-payment despite issuing instructions to the GM of the mill, a situation of law and order may arise.
Sarangal said that as per the law , if the farmers are not paid within 14 days of purchase of their sugarcane , the owner have to pay 15 % annual interest under the Sugarcane Control Order 1966 and the Essential Commodities Act 1955.
Deputy commissioner said that according to the legal provisions, the due amount of sugarcane has to be recovered from the said sugar mill with interest so that the farmers can be paid as soon as possible.