Farmers protest delay in sugar mill upgrade

Karnal, July 27

Agitated over the delay in upgrading Karnal sugar mill, scores of farmers, under the banner of Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), continued their dharna for the second consecutive day today.

Sugarfed Chairman Chander Parkash Kathuria and sugar mill MD Varsha Khangwal tried to pacify them with an assurance that the work on upgrading the mill would start soon but in vain. Farmers demanded the assurance from Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

Meanwhile, the farmers announced to hold a state-level ‘kisan panchayat’ at sugar mill in support of their demand and express their resentment over the delay.

State BKU president Rattan Mann said despite the announcement and assurance by the Chief Minister, the work on upgrading the mill, which was very old and in condemned state, did not begin. The mill broke down during crushing season regularly, he added.

“We will not lift our dharna till the CM assures us of starting the work soon. Any delay would force hundreds of sugarcane farmers from over 50 villages to go to other sugar mills, including those in UP,” he added.

The Sugarfed Chairman reached the dharna site in the afternoon and tried to pacify them. He said all formalities pertaining to upgrading of the mill had been completed and the work would commence soon. He sought 10-day time from farmers asking them to suspend their dharna till then, but the farmers rejected his offer.

“We have completed all formalities. The CM himself has been taking keen interest in the mill upgrade. The work will start soon,” said Kathuria. —TNS