Cane farmers hand over memorandum with ultimatum to Industry Minister Bhatta
KATHMANDU, Nov 8: Agitating sugarcane farmers on Sunday handed over a memorandum with an ultimatum to Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Lekhraj Bhatta.
A team of farmers led by Rakesh Kumar Mishra, patron of the Sugarcane Farmers Struggle Committee, Sarlahi, visited the minister at his office in Singha Durbar and submitted the memorandum claiming that the written commitment by the government in January earlier this year has not yet been implemented.
Four sugar mills yet to clear farmers’ due worth Rs 481 million
On the occasion, the farmers also served an ultimatum to the government to make necessary arrangements so that the sugar mills pay back the dues to the farmers before the Chhath festival. They warned of hitting the streets starting December 12 if they are not paid their dues before the festival. “We will be forced to go for a decisive movement if we do not get the outstanding payments,” said one of the farmers adding that they will surround Singha Durbar, the administrative center of the country, to exert pressure on the government to resolve their issue.
Responding to the farmers’ concern, Minister Bhatta assured them of resolving their issues at the earliest. He said, “We will issue a circular to the home ministry to arrest the owners of those sugar mills that have not paid the farmers yet.” He went on to commit to ensure that the farmers get their dues paid by selling land and other property of the mill operators in case the mills are shut.
