In Uttar Pradesh the government has said that 118 sugar mills out of 128 in the state have started their operations. Cane and Sugar Industry Minister Mr. Naseemuddin Siddiqui has claimed that nearly 51-lakh quintal cane being crushed every day at running sugar mills and it is expected to reach 76 lakhs quintal in new few days. He has said that remaining 10 units are expected to start crushing by the next week. He has said that cooperative and corporation mills can purchase sugar cane on the rate being offered by private mills after keeping in view their financial condition. The minister has also directed the department concerned to conduct surprise raids at cane purchase centers to ensure proper weighing of sugar cane and its price payments to the farmers. He has said that if any irregularity was detected disciplinary will be taken against officers. Mr. Siddiqui has claimed that the sugar mills are already paying advance price to the farmers and the mills have already made payments of 187 crore rupees to the farmers.