category Regional, chandigarh , , tags Regional, chandigarh , , DW BUREAU chandigarh All the dues to the tune of around Rs 41 crores of sugarcane farmers of Doaba region pending against Golden Sandhar Mills Ltd, Phagwara will be cleared by March 31, 2024, said Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Punjab here on Thursday. The Agriculture Minister along with Special Chief Secretary Agriculture Mr. KAP Sinha was chairing a marathon meeting with sugarcane farmers led by BKU (Doaba) president Manjit Singh Rai and BKU (Lakhowal) president Harinder Singh here at Punjab Civil Secretariat-1. Inspector General of Police (IG) Intelligence Jaskaran Singh also attended the meeting. Gurmeet Singh Khudian directed Deputy Commissioner Kapurthala Mr Karnail Singh to ensure payment of Rs 9.72 crore to farmers by the present mill owner and the first instalment of around Rs 2 crore should be paid before starting the cane crushing season this year. He also asked the DC to expedite the process of attaching the properties related to the defaulter owners of Golden Sandhar Mills to make payments of the remaining amount of dues to the cane farmers by March 31, 2024. He asked the officials concerned to immediately open the mill, which has been sealed from few days following protests, so that required repairs would be ensured to make it operational before the beginning of this year crushing season. Reiterating the commitment of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government to safeguard the interests of the state farmers, he categorically said that no one will be allowed to exploit the farmers. It is worth noting that Bharti Kisan Union (Doaba) Thursday began an indefinite dharna to protest non-clearance of cane farmers dues of about Rs 42 crore by a sugar mill here. The farmers said the amount has been pending for the last three years. BKU(D) senior vice president Kirpal Singh Moosapur, while addressing the protesters, alleged an inordinate delay in the clearance of dues and the commencement of cane crushing season. He demanded payment of dues with interest. The mill is currently sealed by the district administration. Moosapur also disclosed that Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian has invited a BKU(D) delegation for talks in Chandigarh. In September, the farmers had locked the gates of the sugar mill and had held a four-day dharna to put pressure on authorities to clear THE dues after its owners had reneged on their promise of clearing the dues in instalments. Farmers and agriculture play a pivotal role in the sustenance and development of human civilization, representing the bedrock of society s sustenance and economic stability. By cultivating crops and rearing livestock, farmers provide the essential nourishment needed to sustain the ever-growing global population. Their laborious efforts not only ensure food security but also contribute significantly to the socioeconomic fabric of various nations, driving rural employment, income generation, and overall economic growth. Furthermore, agriculture serves as a cornerstone for numerous industries, including food processing, textiles, and biofuel production, fostering a diverse array of employment opportunities and value chains. Additionally, farmers are the custodians of vast swathes of land, serving as stewards of the environment and promoting sustainable practices that safeguard natural resources and biodiversity. Their innovative approaches, informed by traditional wisdom and modern techniques, play a critical role in mitigating the challenges posed by climate change and ensuring the resilience of agricultural systems in the face of evolving environmental pressures. Thus, recognizing the indispensability of farmers and agriculture is not only vital for ensuring global food security but also for fostering sustainable development, environmental conservation, and the overall well-being of society at large. (editor dailyworld.in)