Chandigarh, September 11
In a decisive move towards safeguarding the financial well-being of Punjab’s farming community, Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday announced that the state government, which offered the highest in the country sugarcane purchase rate of Rs 401 per quintal, has released Rs 679.37 crore in sugarcane payments for the 2024–25 crushing season.
In a press communiqué issued here, Finance Minister Cheema said that the disbursed amount benefits 18,771 farmers across the state and corresponds to sugarcane supplied to Punjab’s nine cooperative sugar mills, which collectively crushed 194.66 lakh quintals during the season. “With a payment rate of Rs 401 per quintal, the total dues to farmers amount to Rs 779.86 crore. The remaining Rs 100.49 crore will be released shortly, pending the receipt of central assistance”, said Cheema.
The Finance Minister further disclosed that more than 87 percent of payments have been made to date. Specifically, the dues of nine cooperative sugar mills have been cleared, with the purchase dates for Ajnala up to March 10, Batala up to March 18, Bhogpur up to March 27, Budhewal up to March 13, Fazilka up to March 1, Gurdaspur up to March 25, Morinda up to March 30, Nawanshahr up to March 31 and Nakodar up to February 22.
“The Punjab Government is committed to ensuring timely payments to farmers,” said Finance Minister Cheema while adding, “By prioritising liquidity and financial stability for sugarcane growers, the Aam Admi Party (AAP) led Punjab Government continues to foster a resilient agricultural economy and uphold the dignity of those who feed the nation.”
