Central govt issues orders for extending assistance to clear dues of sugarcane farmers

Central government has issued orders for extending assistance to clear the dues of sugarcane farmers. In a statement, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ministry said government has decided to provide financial assistance of 5.50 rupees per quintal of cane crushed in sugar season 2017-18 to sugar mills to offset the cost of cane. 

The assistance shall be paid directly to the farmers on behalf of the mills and be adjusted against the cane price payable due to the farmers against Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) including arrears relating to previous



years. 

The total assistance would be about 1540 crore rupees, which will directly benefit a large number of farmers and will help the sugar mills in a long way in discharging their liabilities on account of cane price dues of farmers.

The decision has been taken to clear the dues of sugarcane farmers that have accumulated to over 20,000 crores rupees. Early this month, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given approval to provide this financial assistance to sugarcane farmers.