Farmers say payments for crushing seasons not made
The district administration has directed the management of a private sugar mill in Aappakoodal to clear the cane arrears within this financial year.
A number of farmers who participated in their grievances redressal meeting held here on Thursday, claimed that the cane arrears of about Rs. 90 crore pertaining to the previous crushing seasons is pending for long and the management of the mill had failed to make any concrete efforts to make payments to the growers.
The issue was brought to the notice of the district administration on several occasions and instructions were given to the mill management to clear the arrears quickly.
“The mill has not made any steps to clear the mounting arrears,” District Secretary of Tamil Nadu Farmers Association T. Subbu said.
Many farmers who spoke in the meeting echoed similar views and urged the district administration to sort out the issue immediately.
Responding to the farmers questions, Collector V.K. Shanmugam directed the management of the mill to settle arrears to the tune of Rs. 20 crore before March 10 and the remaining later.
The Collector also asked the mill management to make payment to the farmers quickly for the fresh procurements made this year.
The officials from the mill assured that the management would settle all the cane arrears quickly. The mill would spend 85 percent of the revenue to settle the arrears to the farmers and utilise the remaining for the operation and maintenance, they added.
District Revenue Officer S. Ganesh and senior officials were present in the meeting.