Chandigarh: Claiming that Punjab was offering the highest state-agreed price (SAP) to sugarcane cultivators, chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday announced a hike of Rs 10 in SAP, raising its amount to Rs 401 per quintal for farmers.
“State govt is committed to the wellbeing of sugarcane cultivators... Punjab will be giving the highest rate for sugarcane.AAP govt has always provided high rates to sugarcane cultivators. State govt will give Rs 401 per quintal to farmers for early varieties of sugarcane and Rs 391 for mid and late varieties of sugarcane,” he said.
A formal notification for SAP hike was issued by agriculture department on Monday. Discussions about enhancing the cane SAP were held during a meeting of the Sugarcane Control Board last week, but the state govt had held back the announcement due to code of conduct for four assembly byelections.
In Dec last year, state govt had fixed Rs 391 per quintal as the SAP by announcing a hike of Rs 11. It had followed protests by farmers in the state by blocking national highways and rail tracks. This year, Centre has announced a fair and remunerative price (FRP) of Rs 340 per quintal for sugarcane. tnn