PUDUCHERRY: Sugarcane growers here are an angry lot as cheques for Rs 22 crore, issued by the Cooperative Sugar Mill at Lingareddipalayam, reportedly bounced due to insufficient funds.Congress media cell in-charge, A V Veeraghavan, said that the cheques had been issued to around 1,500 cane growers from Thirukanur, Manadipet, Vazhuvadur, Kunichampet, Kaaterikuppam, Lingareddipalayam and the surrounding villages for their produce, which had been sold to the Cooperative Sugar Mill on June 13. However, when the farmers approached the Cooperative Bank at Thirukanur with the cheques, they were told by the bank that the cheques could not be honoured due to insufficient funds in the mill’s account.Veeraraghavan said that there was sugar stock worth more than Rs 30 crore in the sugar mill. The farmers, he argued, could be paid by selling the stock. But that did not materialise as the mill administration did not take any steps to get the tariff fixed. Since special permission was required for sale of the stock from the Chief Director (sugar), Directorate of Sugar, Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, who is responsible for the fixation of levy sugar price for the crushing season, the sugar mill management was yet to get permission. Hence, the sugar stock remained unsold, he added.“ It has been more than a month since the new government took charge, but no steps have been taken in this regard. As a result, the farmers have been put to hardship,” he said. They are not only unable to pay the agricultural labourers, but also pay the hire charge for tractors,” he added. The affected farmers were planning a protest, said Veeraghavan.No official could be contacted for a clarification. While the acting manager of the mill was not reachable, other officials were busy in meetings.
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